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A couple of weeks ago I was invited by The Ocean Podcast to share a bit about my passion and work for the ocean, including a discussion on why we really shouldn't be mining the deep-sea for minerals. If you're looking for your next podcast, look no further! - Farah The Ocean Podcast - In Depth with Farah Obaidullah #risingtide #theoceanandus #women4oceans #together4oceans #ocean #love #wearenature 
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There are many promising initiatives driven by passionate people trying to wean us off fossil fuels, e.g. transport & energy innovation. There is growing recognition of the value of nature-based solutions to capture carbon and buffer us from the worst of climate change. There are countless initiatives to minimise waste and recover materials. There is a growing movement to address consumer behaviours and push us towards a circular economy. The vegetarian and vegan movements have taken hold in ways I could never imagine when I ditched meat in the 90s. It's all so exciting. From start-ups to corporations everywhere trying to deliver a better future for us all, I dare to hope about the transformations underway! But the truth is we are emitting more CO2 than ever before, with trillions of dollars being invested in further O&G exploration (made worse by war). We have lost 2/3 of global wildlife, and are on course to lose much more. Our governments seem unwilling or unable to meet this crisis with the required urgency. They can’t or won’t sever ties with the O&G lobby. All I hear is that we can’t turn off the tap overnight and that market forces will eventually allow renewables to prevail. We have had decades to transition but are nowhere near where we need to be. Heat records are being smashed across Europe and the US, cattle dropping like flies from heat exhaustion in Pakistan. Every month of every year for many years now we have heard of ever more dangerous weather events and tipping points being crossed. Democracy is failing us on so many levels. Where I sit, democracy seems to mean everyone can do whatever they want, and government will not intervene. This is leading to an erosion of our social fabric, our common decency as well as our individual and collective responsibilities. We are creating a world of entitled humans and businesses, and as each day passes without recourse it will be harder to reign in that entitlement and move us to a more community driven existence, in harmony with each other and nature. Maybe 30+ years ago we could have guided market forces in the direction we need to go. But today we need bold action. Not unlike how governments (eventually) dealt with the pandemic. Whether welcomed or not, the Covid-19 measures demonstrated that it is possible for government to take swift and decisive action, even at great economic cost. Not a popular thought. But what is the alternative? We are leaving it too late for gradual progressive change. We must shut down certain industries and lifestyle choices, even if that means some personal sacrifice. As people we fight to live another day, but as governments with a mandate for our future I expect more. We get what we vote for. I know it isn’t easy. There rarely is a silver bullet. But I need to see real leadership somewhere to help me fight another day for our planet and all beings that live here. Do share stories of hopeful (government) leadership! - Farah Obaidullah #empower #climatecrisis #climateemergency  Sharing our newsletter here as well for those interested to know what keeps me busy (The Ocean and Us, deep-sea mining, EU4Ocean Coalition). Spoiler alert: we have an ISBN number for the up coming book: The Ocean and Us! - Farah Obaidullah https://mailchi.mp/62b64cc3a298/book-update-the-ocean-and-us #theoceanandus #oceanliteracy #women4oceans #together4oceans #ocean #SDG14 #MakeEUBlue  Excited to say I am about to submit the manuscript for the Ocean and Us! A book that explores all the ways our lives interact with the ocean, and which brings together the expertise of over 30 ocean specialists! Preorder at: theoceanandus.com This video was released at the European Maritime Day - #EMD22 - as part of the #MakeEUBlue campaign. - Farah Obaidullah #theoceanandus #together4oceans #women4oceans #oceanliteracy Deep-sea mining in our global commons could happen as soon as next year. We already know that if allowed to go ahead, deep-sea mining will irreversibly destroy life in the deep ocean, and risks disturbing locked away carbon. Allowing deep-sea mining to go ahead is tantamount to ecocide. Thank you KALW Bay Area Public Radio for inviting me on your show to talk about this reckless emerging industry. - Farah Obaidullah #dontlookup #defendthedeep #oceandecade #ourocean #circulareconomy #ecocide #women4oceans #together4oceans  As temperatures soar across India and Pakistan, I am reminded of a conversation I had last night with someone who works for the oil and gas industry (and who happens to be from the Indian subcontinent). According to this man, all NGOs - he couldn’t specify which ones or from which sector, but just made a sweeping statement of all NGOs - do not use science to back up their work, and have no merit. This man went on to attack climate activists, saying their (and my) frustration is unjustified, and he used the tired old rhetoric of climate activists being hypocrites since we too heat our homes. I was livid and didn’t know where to begin to unpack his denial and patronization of the climate crisis. At the same time I was tired. I have been fighting this fight for too long. And, in many personal settings, telling myself or being told to stay quiet, polite and ‘know my place’. I tried to explain the root of our frustration, that scientists have been calling for a transition away from fossil fuels for decades, that the fight is not against people, and certainly not vulnerable or low income people with little to no choice, rather our fight is against the systems, governments and industry that perpetuate and thereby deepen the climate crisis. Yet I was constantly triggered by the baseless claims coming from this man. I have two degrees from one of the world’s leading science universities. I studied the first two assessment reports of the IPCC ever to be released as part of my thesis on accelerated sea-level rise. I have spent the past almost 20 years in the NGO sector campaigning for healthy oceans, working with scientists and amplifying their message, and sounding the alarm on the climate crisis. I am not alone. Millions of us around the world are tired of being systematically ignored and belittled so that a few can continue the status quo, while stealing the future of many. I was being mansplained to by someone who has chosen to stick his head in the sand. The climate crisis is plain for all to see, and is being experienced by too many people around the world, including millions of people on the Indian subcontinent. I am telling this story because I need to remind myself not to give up in the face of such ignorance and contempt, and just maybe if you are reading this, you need that reminder too. #climatecrisis #climateemergency #heatwaves #climateaction #activism #collectiveaction #dontgiveup #ecoanxiety #women4oceans #together4oceans  Photo courtesy: Asim Khan Earth Day, each and every day! For this Earth Day I am happy to present to you the story of one incredible woman working to protect and revive sawfish populations. Check out this short film produced by the WaterBear Network for Women4Oceans to find out how! Never underestimate the power of communities in protecting the #ocean. Thank you Alifa Bintha Haque for all the work you do! - Farah Obaidullah #getinspired #earthday #giveback #women4oceans #together4oceans  With one crisis after another, it is easy to lose sight of the imminent threats we face at a global level. Time is running out to protect the High Seas (almost half our planet!) from deep-sea mining. A reckless emerging industry that we know will cause irreversible damage to ocean life, risks disturbing locked away carbon, and which will have unknown consequences to the very systems that sustain life as we know it. We must stop this industry from starting. Here's what my colleagues and I have to say about the processes in play around deep-sea mining. Join us! - Farah Obaidullah https://grist.org/climate/deep-sea-mining-could-begin-next-year-heres-why-ocean-experts-are-calling-for-a-moratorium/ #stayengaged #defendthedeep #circulareconomy #women4oceans #together4oceans #oceandecade #SDG14  Hidden Gem - ship being refitted in Rotterdam to mine the deep-sea. Photo: Farah Obaidullah It’s International Women’s Day today. This picture was taken many many moons ago (2005) and appeared on my feed as a memory. The fight to protect our planet continues. Human dignity, well-being, peace, justice and equality are all linked to a healthy planet. The ocean makes up most of our planet (over 70%), so protecting the planet that sustains us means protecting the ocean. If you’re feeling powerless today because of everything happening around the world: war, ongoing pandemic, climate crisis, humanitarian crises (in so many places), non-human suffering, and so on, you’re not alone. But there is always something you can do. Support an organization whose mission you support (whether on helping victims of war or safeguarding nature and the ocean), organize in your community (collect clothes, food, money, signatures for a cause you believe in), talk to people, your friends, family and strangers. Feel connected to people around you. Spend time in nature, actively keep your community clean by picking up trash, find ways to reduce your consumption that make you feel good, listen to people. By just listening, you are supporting someone. Limit your daily news intake and screen time. Spend that extra time doing any of the above. Today, and every day, whoever you are, embrace your femininity (we all have a feminine side). Strength, resilience, compassion, nurturance and collectivism are all hallmarks of the feminine. Stand in your power! The world needs you. - Farah Obaidullah #internationalwomensday #women4oceans #together4oceans #peace #nowar #bethechange #stayengaged #giveback #ocean #oneoceanoneplanet Women4Oceans Photo: Greenpeace Quote: Laurel Thatcher Ulrich  Farah Obaidullah on the North Sea, 2005 Very proud to share our new film -a first of its kind- on deep-sea mining, what it is, what the threats are, and how companies are increasingly rejecting the need for minerals from the deep ocean. Thanks to everyone who provided materials, interviews and support for this film project. A particular thanks to Maarten van Rouveroy for producing this film! Watch, share widely & help stop this reckless industry from starting! - Farah Obaidullah #defendthedeep #deepseamining #oceans #circulareconomy #SDG14 |
Email: info@women4oceans.org
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