Parley for the Oceans

Communicating with animals has long captured people’s imaginations though fictional stories, but now, it’s becoming a reality. With Artificial Intelligence, we’re on the verge of translating animal sound and movement into a language we can begin to understand. Organizations like the Earth Species Project are determined to push beyond the novelty of it all. “We’re probably in this situation of climate breakdown and biodiversity crisis because human beings ultimately have lost our connection to nature,” Jane Lawton Director of Impact at Earth Species Project, shares. “We’ve forgotten that we’re part of it. So can we use the new insights and breakthrough that are coming through this work to try and reconnect people to nature?” Learn more in our latest feature in the Parley for the Oceans journal about how these advances in technology could improve conservation efforts, why this technology won’t lead to a “Dr Dolittle moment”, and whether a “voice of nature” could ever be part of a UN sub-council.

Parley’s Oceans 101 course is now available in Spanish! Can you guess which language we’ll have it in next? 😏 Dive in here: https://lnkd.in/gpeB9S4q

Valuing Indigenous knowledge in today’s world is vital to protecting the future of our planet. ⁠ ⁠ In a Parley interview, Loyiso Dunga reflects on the influence of Indigenous lessons that were passed down to him from his grandfather, a traditional healer, and how it has shaped his work as a marine biologist studying the Great African Seaforest. ⁠ ⁠ Loyiso explains why scientific research cannot exist without Indigenous knowledge and how he has made it his life’s mission to bring people together by connecting them to sacred spaces. “Think of it like this, someone safeguarded our ocean heritage and passed it to us, so it’s a life obligation for us to do the same.” ⁠ ⁠⁠ Read the full interview and learn more about his work in South Africa on the Parley Journal: https://lnkd.in/dkpzc5sC ⁠ P: Zoe Lower via Kogia

Who is Captain Paul Watson? Having worked with him for over a decade, our crew can attest to Paul Watson’s character as a devoted father, empathetic conservationist and perhaps the most quotable collaborator in the Parley network. ⁠ ⁠ His opponents paint him as a radical environmentalist and an eco-pirate with controversial tactics. But as Captain Paul has clarified, “protesting illegal activity is not piracy.” If he is feared, it is because he’s effective - and because he tells the uncomfortable truth: humans are killing the oceans, and “if the oceans die, we die.”⁠ ⁠ His actions have always been in the interest of upholding international conservation law and ensuring the health of our oceans. He goes where no one else will to protect vulnerable sea life in critical ecosystems - enforcing laws meant to protect the biodiversity that keeps Earth a habitable home. ⁠ Captain Paul Watson is the original Parley catalyst. We would not exist without his example and commitment to the oceans, nor without the personal risks he takes to get more eyes on the living realm beneath the waves. For decades, the legendary ocean activist has stood up for our life support system. Now, he needs us to stand up for him. ⁠ ⁠ Since Paul’s arrest in July, thousands of supporters have joined the campaign to #FreePaulWatson. When Captain Paul Watson protects whales, he protects the role they play in the ecosystem that generates most of the oxygen in the air we breathe. When he stands up for the oceans, he stands up for us all.⁠ ⁠ This Thursday, August 15th, marks Paul's court date in Denmark. We need all hands on deck in order to #FreePaulWatson. Sign the petition here: https://lnkd.in/exNQvJH3 and follow Captain Paul Watson Foundation for the latest updates. ⁠

Captain Paul Watson is the original Parley catalyst. We would not exist without his example and commitment to the oceans, nor without the personal risks he takes to get more eyes on the realm beneath the waves. ⁠ ⁠ For decades, the legendary ocean activist - who leads the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, co-founded Greenpeace and founded Sea Shepherd - has stood up for our life support system. Now he needs us to stand up for him. ⁠ On Sunday, July 21st, Paul was arrested by Danish authorities in Greenland on an international arrest warrant issues by Japan. He faces charges for his work opposing illegal whale hunts in Antarctica and is looking at a possible 15-year prison sentence if extradited to Japan. ⁠ ⁠ Since Paul's arrest, hundreds of supporters have joined the campaign to #FreePaulWatson, including influential voices like President Macron of France, who is putting pressure on Danish authorities to prevent his extradition. The situation brings pivotal questions to the surface: Why are the good guys getting arrested? Who is Paul Watson, really? ⁠ ⁠ Parley for the Oceans has worked with Paul for over a decade, and can attest to his character as a devoted father, empathetic conservationist and one of the most quotable and wise collaborators in the Parley network. His opponents paint him as a radical environmentalist and eco-pirate, but as Captain Paul himself has clarified, "protesting illegal activity is not piracy." If he is feared, it is because he is effective - and because he tells the uncomfortable truth: humans are killing the oceans, and "if the oceans die, we die." ⁠ ⁠ When Captain Paul Watson protects whales, he protects the role they play in the ecosystem that generates most of the oxygen in the air we breathe. When he stands up for the oceans, he stands up for us all. ⁠ ⁠ The people who defend our planet should be celebrated, not arrested. Sign the petition to help #FreePaulWatson here: https://lnkd.in/exNQvJH3 and follow Captain Paul Watson Foundation for the latest updates.

“This is not just a movement to protect whales and sharks, seals and fish, it is a movement to protect humanity and all other species on this planet.” - Captain Paul Watson ⁠ The Parley story begins with Captain Paul Watson. This organization would not exist were it not for his example. The legendary ocean activist, who is the co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, a devoted father and passionate environmentalist, has stood for the oceans for decades, and now he needs us to stand up for him. ⁠ ⁠⁠ This weekend, Paul was arrested in Greenland by Danish authorities on an international warrant issued by Japan. He faces two arrest warrants for opposing illegal whaling in Antarctica and for intervening against illegal shark finning in Costa Rica. ⁠ ⁠ Captain Paul’s actions have always been in the interest of upholding international laws and ensuring the health of the oceans. Despite doing the work of governments, he is being treated as an international criminal, for defending sea life and the ecosystem we all depend on to survive.⁠ ⁠ We call for the immediate release of Captain Paul Watson.⁠ ⁠ To show your support, please follow his foundation Captain Paul Watson Foundation for updates and flood the embassies worldwide. 📧 Find the email template at the link here: https://lnkd.in/dkyjwCYw #FreePaulWatson⁠

A cool product can be a stealthy catalyst for social change. One minute you’re admiring a jacket, the next you’re deep into a discussion on food insecurity and plastic pollution. 🌜🍓 That’s the idea behind the Parley x Sky High Farm Universe collaboration — a ready to wear concept capsule collection presented at the Future Fabrics Expo with the material innovators of the Parley Future Material® program. The pieces here are made from revolutionary, non-harmful biomaterials - Bananatex®, TômTex Inc., Ponda and Nature Coatings and also Parley Ocean Plastic® — materials that have the potential to replace leathers, virgin plastics, polyurethane and more. It represents the next step in our vision for a Material Revolution. Each item is a messenger for progress - a Symbol of Change demonstrating what’s possible when creatives and brands take responsibility for the products they offer with an approach that centers community, connects across industries and interests, and invites more people into the solutions. As of now, this capsule collection using Parley Future Material® isn’t yet available for purchase, but the teams are working on bringing it to the market in the near future. Watch this space! Read our interview with Sky High Farm Universe Co-CEO & CMO Daphne Seybold and Senior Brand & Partner Manager Matty Friedman here: https://lnkd.in/geTm4ZTz

Progress over perfection - that’s what makes real change happen. Through direct action, education and eco-innovation, we can support a reality that creates positive change around the globe. We are thrilled to partner with NiD SA to move these conversations from an idea, to a standard. Every step counts. For the oceans 🌊

In a coastal city in Vietnam, designer uyen tran learned to buy her clothing secondhand, and if it broke, to repair it. This lifestyle is a stark contrast to the consumer culture and disposable fashion she was exposed to when she moved West, where nearly 19 million tonnes of clothing ends up in landfills every year. Early in her career, Tran recognized the fashion industry’s waste problem, and wanted to be a part of the solution - but how? One of the answers came from her region’s abundant shrimp farms by way of chitosan: a biomaterial found in shrimp shells that happens to be the second most abundant biopolymer on Earth. ⁠ ⁠ Studying at Parsons and working in various fashion houses in NYC, Tran began to see just how unsustainable the fashion industry and its processes were - and became determined to create materials that addressed waste issues and could also be sustainable alternatives. Out of this desire, TômTex Co. was born: a company dedicated to creating biomaterials from seafood waste and mushrooms. Over the last three years since it’s conception, Tran has established TômTex Co. in the luxury fashion world but aims to expand globally, utilizing her technology to develop materials such as biofilms, bio-yarns, and sustainable packaging, breathing new life into old materials. ⁠ ⁠ Read about Uyen Tran and TômTex’s journey in Parley’s latest Material Revolution interview: https://lnkd.in/gwJr2ibq Music Credit (IG): @balubrigada - So Cold

We are all a part of something bigger than we know, and it all connects back to the oceans. 🌊 We’re thrilled to officially announce our ongoing, long-term partnership with frank green, a company committed to reducing single-use plastic waste by reimagining reusable cups and bottles. 🌱 A timely announcement to kick off #plasticfreejuly! This partnership will be crucial in raising awareness and continuing education on ocean conservation and preservation globally 🌏 delivering projects focused on real action, community education, plastic interception, material science and eco innovation. 💚 “Our commitment extends to restoring and preserving the ocean from the devastating impact of single use plastics. And to be frank, we need to,” says Benjamin Young, founder and CEO of frank green. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g88Zmsf5