fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
My Octopus Teacher and the 2020 Election Results
Tags: My Octopus Teacher, Republicans, Kalief Browder, Race, Election 2020

As I consider my 70 million cousins who voted to extend the administration of President Trump, I’m struggling to feel our commonalities, our shared humanity, despite our different hopes for our country.

Then I remember the octopus in the Netflix smash-hit documentary, My Octopus Teacher: how strange and beautiful she is, and all the capacities she has to survive.

I’ve made adaptations of my own, to thrive where I live, with those I live among.

For example, I have a second stomach. With it, I can take in things that are difficult to stomach, sit with them, be with them, even eventually digest them, not reject them. It is the stomach I call upon to read US history, such as An Indigenous People’s History of the United States; it’s the stomach I call upon to hear my friend’s stories, like the one about the school counselor who could not fathom a Black student becoming a lawyer; or, when uncovering family history, I learn my Jewish progenitors owned enslaved people in New Orleans, or on the Mayflower-side, benefitted from murder and betrayal of the landholding people already here. My stomach drops with the telling of Kalief Browder’s story, a boy caught and killed by a dysfunctional “justice” system. These are truths of my family and country, and I’m metabolizing them in love for my country and myself. I want to see and know.

I’m not sure my Republican cousins have a second stomach hungry for these truths.

My heart does something strange, too, when I read Jessmyn Ward or listen to Nikole Hannah Jones talk about her father and her uncle; when Kiese Laymon treasures what is unloved by my country and confronts me about it; when Carol Anderson fields talk show calls with might and calm clarity. When it is a Black friend who insists that loving my neighbor demands I love those who vote differently — even those who may call the police if she walks too slowly past their front garden, but not if I do the same — I feel that my heart is burnished, bright, coppery, old and exquisite, and that I can know the best of what humans can be, in the weary insistent light of this grace.

My Republican cousins have also been among this grace, I’m not sure if they know.

I’m of the crashing waves now, fluid like an octopus welcoming the knowing of all of its limbs — really welcoming that knowing, however uncomfortable. I’m not sure my Republican cousins are following a common evolutionary tree. Or perhaps they are also the octopus but in her protective guise, covered in seashells and camouflage. I’m looking forward to hearing of their loves, their lights, without rancor, without rejection, without rejection of me and my loves and my evolution. May we truly see one another.
Interesting view. Some comments on your article:
By: Jay Mattern
Tags: Republicans, Trump, Politics, Impeachment, Congress

Interesting view. Some comments on your article:

Regarding the Republican “episode” with the secret hearings, yes, there are a handful of Republicans in these meetings. That wasn’t the point. The point, if you listen to the comments that were made by Scalise and others is that these hearings are dealing with potential impeachment of a President who was duly elected by a Consitutional process. The argument being made is that these secret hearings, of which nothing is published or made public, are an attempt to undo (impeach) this same President. So, legally elected by due process and by the people, but removed by a rogue process being done in the dark. Syria. Like most things Trump does (announcing a formal impeachment inquiry one day before the phone call transcripts were released, only to find that the transcripts did not support the reasons Pelosi gave for it), the Democrats (and their scribes in the media) always react immediately to Trump’s next move (or tweet!), and in short order are made fools of. We removed 58 troops (yes, 58!) and all hell broke loose! Within a few days, we have a PERMANENT cease fire. And an end to the conflict. So while the method may have been out of the ordinary, the result was exactly what everyone who threw a fit over those methods wanted! I would agree with you that the call to have the G-7 summit in a Trump property was misguided. The intent was right (save money, etc.), but you just can’t overcome the way it looks — favoring the Trump organization and ultimately, Trump. I think sometimes he does things just to “tweak” the opposition. This clearly was one of them. Republicans in opposition to Trump. The “Republicans” you mention in your article are about as Republican as Trump is a mild-mannered introvert. On a good day you might call Mitt Romney a RINO. His positions and policies are purely liberal Democrat. Jeff Flake? Really??? He’s not even a player any more (former Senator Flake). Paul Ryan? They had all three branches of government during his first two years as Speaker. He failed to accomplish anything in the House, other than the tax reform bill. He was constantly a detractor and drug his feet all the way up to his last day. Francis Rooney. First he supports impeachment, then he announces his “retirment.” Sounds like politics 101 to me. Remember the fuss over Nancy Pelosi’s bid to resume her position as Speaker of the House? There were many Dems who opposed it (rather strongly, as I recall), but in short order, flipped and became her strongest allies (AOC was one of the most prominent detractors — for a minute, anyway). Pelosi simply “muscled” her detractors into supporting her (“if you support me here’s what I’ll do for you. If you don’t, here’s what will happen to you”). That’s politics.

I certainly enjoyed your article. Fun times we’re having in Washington!
My Take On The Filibuster
By: William Jr. Pierre-Louis
Tags: Democrats, Republicans, Majority, Minorities, Filibusters

My Take On The Filibuster

The idea that the filibuster rule encourages debates and deliberation in the Senate is false. Instead, I see it as a political mechanism essentially designed to target policies that address fundamental social changes.

My biggest issue with the filibuster is that it doesn’t apply to all Senate’s pieces of legislation.

As the New York Times Columnist Ezra Klein pointed out, “it does not make sense to require 51 votes to pass trillions of dollars tax cuts for big cooperations, but 60 votes to protect the right to vote.” As America faces gun violence and hate crimes by people who have no business carrying a gun, I have to mention the filibuster is also applied to vote on gun control in the Senate.

I don’t believe the filibuster creates some equity or freedom of expression in the Senate — nor that I think it encourages unlimited debate where a minority has a say on policies. If you check the filibuster history, you would be surprised to realize that it is rooted in racism, slavery, and a consistent attempt to oppose civil rights.

The way I see it, there’s no guarantee Democrats will hold the majority in the Senate for the next four years. There’s no guarantee they would get any significant legislation voted there either. GOP could get it back in 2022. So I think Democrats should seriously try to find out how they will get policies to get through the Senate.

Whoever has the majority in the Senate should be able to get legislation passed. That’s the bottom line. Therefore, canceling the filibuster could be the ideal thing for Democrats to do right now before it’s too late.
Reset
By: Monica Coyne
Tags: Sea, Oceans, Pandemic, Boats, Seasick

If you look at a map of North America. I live about halfway between the Canadian and Mexican border. There is a small bump on the edge of the continent in California just below Oregon. This is the place in the Pacific Ocean where three tectonic plates come together to form the Mendocino Triple Junction. The Junction has created huge underwater canyons. The depth of the water right off of the shore drops into the Delgada Canyon 600 feet. And then drops to more than 3000 ft deep about 14 miles offshore. I love going out on the ocean in a little boat. It is like stepping into a dream. Stepping onto this huge undulating creature who is oblivious to you. The little boat climbs up the side of a swell and is pitched sideways down the slick surface. The shiny elastic membrane of the sea rises and plunges. It is straining under the direction of a force that I can not grasp. I have to trick my mind into believing that the beast will not decide at any moment to flick me and my little boat off. Or more likely, suck it in. I have to trick my vestibular system of balance into submission. As level no longer has meaning. All of this focusing and concentrating leaves no room for thoughts of a pandemic or of injustice. For a few hours the magnificence of this place is all there is. I hope you have a place that you can go to reset. We have a lot of work to do.
World Water Day 2021 — Is Lockdown Saving Our Water?
By: Quite Great Pr
Tags: Oceans, Art, Sustainability, Environment, World Water Day

With today marking World Water Day 2021, we are compelled to celebrate water as a commodity we so casually take for granted every single day.

Every living being on our planet relies on water to survive, as humans we abuse water; to drink, to clean and to play throughout our lives. Water keeps us alive, keeps us happy and keeps us healthy but we decide to pollute it — dumping “eight million tonnes of plastic into the sea every year” (Sir David Attenborough).

Environmental artist, Oenone Hammersley has created a series of paintings to celebrate water, prizing beautiful ripples in the sea ‘to the dreamlike reflections in Venice’ (Oenone Hammersley). The series ‘Washed Up’ shows how the artist views the sea, a juxtaposition between the greens and blues and the accumulation of waste before it, washed up on sandy shores.

(All her water paintings benefit: https://oceanconservancy.org/)

So, has lockdown enabled our waters to reset? Scenes in Venice from lockdown last year show the canals return to crystal clear water, with the absence of human disturbance, has this time — with people shielding from COVID — given our waters a much needed rest?

An article from The Guardian written last year reports ‘a drop in underwater noise pollution’, giving ‘respite’ to our animals and our oceans. Scientists say that the underwater frequencies caused by human activity affects whales and other marine mammals, and their newly silent seas have changed their behaviour. Humpbacks are calling more, communicating with one another — appearing happier.

In summary, today we must take time to think about the value of our oceans, how our actions have severe consequences on our environment and subsequently our survival. We must remain vigilant and refuse to take the natural world for granted.

Please visit WWF for more information on what you can do to make our oceans cleaner and keep our marine animals safe and happy.

Happy Water Day!

Written by Francesca Bass
Life Below Water Depends on Actions Above
By: Wildlife Conservation Society
Tags: Oceans, Climate Change, Environment, World Wildlife Day, Conservation

By Jason Patlis

March 3, 2019

[Note: this is the second in a series of blogs by staff in the WCS Marine Conservation Program in recognition of World Wildlife Day 2019.]

For the first time, World Wildlife Day, March 3, is dedicated to marine wildlife. “Life below water” — the theme for the day — is taken from UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which is one of 17 overarching thematic goals adopted by 193 nations that collectively provide a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for the planet by 2030.

Before we dive below the surface of the ocean, let’s first consider the ocean from above the surface of the earth. Just two months ago, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission, immortalized by Life Magazine with the breath-taking image of the Earthrise and dubbing Earth “the Blue Planet.”

Only then could we really appreciate how much of our planet is — and depends upon — ocean. Often cited is the statistic that 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is ocean. More to the point, the ocean provides an incredible 99 percent of the habitable space on our planet.

Photo credit: NASA/Bill Anders [Public domain]

Yet since that Apollo mission, we have despoiled the ocean, drained it of its bounty, and fundamentally changed its nature by making it hotter, higher, more acidic, and more violent. The results are stark. Roughly 90 percent of the top predators in the ocean are gone; more than a third of the coral reefs have been lost, and about half of the world’s species of sharks and rays are threatened or near threatened.

While once-heavily-hunted whales were saved from extinction due to dedicated advocacy from both the public and policymakers, today they face new threats from a crowded and noisy ocean. Even if we met the Paris climate goal of staying below a 2 degree Celsius rise in temperature, we still expect to lose up to 90 percent of the world’s coral reefs.

Often cited is the statistic that 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is ocean. More to the point, the ocean provides an incredible 99 percent of the habitable space on our planet.

An ever increasing stream of pollutants continue to find their way into the ocean, with plastics discovered at the far reaches of the polar oceans and at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, the deepest point of the ocean. Life below water is being destroyed by our actions above water.

Nonetheless, I remain optimistic that we can reverse the trend of steady ocean decline, thanks to the leadership of government, conservation, and business, and the rising awareness and action of people worldwide.
How The Loss Of Phytoplankton Could Lead To Our Demise
By: Harshit Poddar
Tags: Aquatic Life, Climate Change, Oceans

How The Loss Of Phytoplankton Could Lead To Our Demise

By degrading the environment, humans have caused a decline in phytoplankton. This is a dangerous proposition — for the planet and for us. Harshit Poddar Follow Apr 13 · 4 min read

Photo by Lachlan Ross from Pexels

The base of the entire aquatic food chain is the phytoplankton. Essentially what plants do on land, phytoplankton does in the ocean. It is the foundation on which the entire aquatic life is built. Any threat to this species would ultimately lead to a complete collapse of aquatic life. Unfortunately, the phytoplanktons are dying, and we are the ones killing them.

These microscopic algae have been critical in making life on Earth possible for a number of key reasons.

Oxygen

Phytoplankton are responsible for over 50% of all the oxygen in our atmoshpere.

These microscopic algae in our oceans are some of the most laborious workers in our ecosystem. Day and night, they absorb the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen through photosynthesis.

Food

All the food in the ocean is ultimately produced by phytoplankton. Through photosynthesis, they produce carbohydrates which are in turn consumed by small fishes. These fishes are then consumed by larger fishes and so on.

Kill the phytoplanktons and the oceans will be left with no food.

Carbon Sequestration

Another important contribution of the phytoplankton is the fact that they sequester (remove and store) a large amount of atmospheric carbon. This reduces atmospheric carbon content and thereby mitigates the greenhouse gas effect.
What’s the catch? Traceability for responsible seafood supply chains
By: Peer Ledger
Tags: Blockchain Technology, Sustainability, Oceans, Seafood

The new Netflix release — Seaspiracy — has taken the internet by storm as it tackles the many problems plaguing our oceans. While some have criticized the documentary for generalizing the issues and using outdated studies, Seaspiricy highlights the very real harm unethical fishing practices cause for people and our planet.

A report from the Environmental Justice Foundation found that there were “cases of slavery, debt bondage, insufficient food and water, filthy living conditions, physical and sexual assault and even murder aboard fishing vessels from 13 countries operating across three oceans.” These human rights abuses can often be hard to track, as the vessels are far out in the ocean and rarely come to shore.

In an article from the Future of Fish, they discuss the need for greater supply chain transparency in the seafood industry, noting that while many large industry players are aware of the human rights issues, they did not believe it could be happening within their supply chain.

Companies like Wal-Mart, Costco, and Whole Foods have been found selling seafood caught using forced labour and more companies are realizing the need to take immediate action to protect their supply chains from human rights violations. As governments, corporations and not for profits fight to fix these issues, there is no doubt that technology will play an important role.

Peer Ledger’s MIMOSI Connect traceability platform supports the shift towards greater transparency in the seafood industry. Our blockchain enabled technology gives companies a trusted, immutable record of transactions and metrics across their entire supply chain to support responsible supply chain management and due diligence. MIMOSI Connect allows companies to capture and track transactions and important metrics to instantly map and monitor their supply chains. For companies seeking to get serious about traceability within their supply chain, MIMOSI Connect provides the proof to ensure that your practices and values stay aligned.

References
I brought myself to the high seas
By: Nichapat S
Tags: Sea, Travel, High Sea, Creative Writing, Ocean

I was a shipwreck at the seabed in the South Pacific Ocean. One day, there was an iceberg floating passed me. It was glowing like the iceberg was the source of light itself, not from reflection. The light particles travelled through all the bending beams and rotten wooden decks. Before all the particles are gone, they got into my eyes.

I didn’t even know I had eyes.

I would like to see how beautiful the iceberg was from afar. I deconstructed myself just to get a good look at it. I floated up to the water surface. It turned out the iceberg was as ruined as myself. Climate change is real but perfection is not. It’s only fascinating because it was melting from the inside.

I lost my interest, at the same time I lost myself. I let some strangers took me. They were travellers. They accidentally took me because I fit their collection of souvenirs, but I will rather be memorabilia. So, I left.

I was lost and brought to many places. I then found myself on a mountain. I made it to the summit just to be able to say that I had been there. It’s not the highest summit of any particular place. Still, it was too cold. I decided to dissolve myself into the river.

I went from upstream straight into volcanic fields. Then I was chilling in a cute tiny village. I ran through urban sprawl. It was a frustrating city because there was no place to be, except endless networks of gutters.

So I heard there was a place, where neglected waterways turned into a river with the postmodern waterfront. I could be there.

Sorry. It was just a dream. I ended up becoming run-off. It’s not that I could choose to be in Lake Tekapo. No one gets to choose their own catchments.

I came a long way, finally, in estuaries. I saw two blue rectangles with a proportion of 1: infinity. There was no destination, but I suddenly felt my determination. I would get myself out there. I would be 200 nautical miles away from land. Where a distance mattered less than coordinates. I will be beyond the imaginary lines where no governance could mess with me. I would have the full sovereignty of my own.

There would be fishing boats, ships and yachts passing by, but they won’t be bothered. We would like to say hi when we saw each other from afar. Sometimes we were near enough to exchange. Either stories or batteries, they were just fine. Sadly, no matter how much things we wanted to tell or energy capacities to be renewed, we all knew it in our neurons, we would leave. What’s the point sailing in the high seas, to be anchored in something.
Poor Knights
By: Kay Groft Iii
Tags: Poetry, Travel, Oceans, Poor Knights, Scuba Diving

The fear,

it holds back

the sickness

as the boat

violently careens down

port side — sideways

it goes, down the giant

wave controlling

every plank, every soaking

wet rope my clenched

fists cling to in

absolute hopelessness.

Inches from capsizing,

the tiny vessel, that is now

only host to me,

rocks back and forth —

back and forth,

after reaching its

end of one wave

and beginning

its ascent of another.

The sickness

begins to well up in me

yet again.

I turn to see land,

a luxury I once took

for granted.

I pray to any god that

would persuade the sea to guide me closer

to shore.

The sea sends

gnarling curls of white

foam meant to sink me,

only pushing me closer to hope.

With immeasurable strength

and will,

the sea lurches me up,

the wet storm

that fuels the fire that thrashes

beneath my trembling bow

slices at my face

as I come closer to the

dark black clouds

from which they

are birthed.

For a moment I am above

the dark, the wet —

the chaos.

I see down, above it all,

if only in torment,

for what I believed

to be my salvation

was only an illusion.

My mind had hungered

for peace. My soul

pined for calm,

only

shrouding my eyes

from truth.

The sweet sight of shore

was now the end of my days,

my fate already foretold

by the story

of the sea.

The water breaks,

and I fall.

I am back in the anarchy

of it all.

It was a trap,

one the ocean

has set for many sailors

before me, claiming

greater men than I.

Jagged shards of rock

that were once seen

as my preservation,

wait for me

as they have now become

my damnation.

I have traveled

over the ocean’s

waters for so long,

using them for selfish gain —

it is only justice

that sacrifices me

to its depths here

and now.
Supporting the plastic removal: It is about being brave and teaming up on innovative solutions.
By: Annette Stube
Tags: Ocean Conservation, Oceans, Plastic Pollution, Environment, Plastic Bags

The only way the plastic issue can be alleviated is by working all together, contributing with the best of our capabilities and engaging ourselves into groundbreaking solutions. This is the main reason for Maersk to keep supporting The Ocean Cleanup in the relaunch of its upgraded drifting system to the Pacific.

We sail the oceans every day and see the plastic problem growing. At current levels, by 2050 our oceans will contain more plastic than fish. With an estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic waste littering all major ocean basins. This crucial problem is a high priority on our agenda. That´s the reason why Maersk Supply Services keeps providing offshore project management and vessel operations support to a re-developed offshore cleaning system.

A UNIQUE MISSION

Ocean plastic is a big problem, and it’s not getting any better.

In 2018, Maersk Supply Services partnered with The Ocean Cleanup in a unique mission, removing plastics from our oceans. They spent three months at the Pacific Ocean testing and collecting relevant data. Due to a structural malfunctioning of the cleanup system, The Ocean Cleanup took the decision to return to port earlier than planned to -based on findings and data- upgrade the system.

Following six months of onshore work, The Ocean Cleanup is now ready to re-send its upgraded passive drifting system to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located roughly midway between California and Hawaii.

In Maersk we believe that, setbacks like this are inevitable when pioneering new technology and we know that, being in port has provided The Ocean Cleanup with the opportunity to make upgrades to a system that it is expected to be back at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by the end of June 2019.

MAERSK TRANSPORTER

Maersk Transporter, an anchor handling tug supply vessel, is heading now towards the North Pacific where will be deployed for approximately one year, collecting plastic from the ocean with specially made long floating screens, attached to the vessel, collecting plastic debris for recycling.

The partnership with The Ocean Cleanup is a natural fit for Maersk Supply Service who bring different areas of expertise to the table which, combined, play a key role in developing a solution to one of the world’s most important environmental issues.

The Ocean Cleanup´s aim is improving advanced technologies to rid the plastics from the oceans, impacting as little as possible marine animals, protected species as well as plankton and macrofaunal communities of the areas.

The Ocean Cleanup´s long-term ambition is to install a fleet of at least 60 floating screens to re remove 50% of the 80,000 tonnes of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch every 5 year.
Surfing With Evi
By: Party Wave Surfing Apparel
Tags: Yoga, Oceans, Health Foods, Surfing, T Shirt Design

Evi — an enchanting young lady, who knows to juggle all her interests and to be amazing in all her occupations — being a flight attendant, yoga lover, surfer and more! We asked Evi some tricky questions, keep reading to learn more about this gifted girl. Don’t forget to follow her instagram @flying.evi if you want to get energized and inspired!

1. Let’s imagine you are a cocktail — which ingredients (yogi, surfer, flight-attendant, etc) does your recipe consist of in percents? :)

100% Evi= 50% Flight Attendant, 30% Yogi, 10% Surfer and 10% Fitness girl

2.What is common between surfing and being a flight attendant?

Working on a plane is like surfing: You never know what kind of waves (or passengers) you will get when you get out there. Both ways you gotta make the best of it and just surf 😀

3. How did you start surfing?

I started surfing 7 years ago in Portugal, fell in love with the waves and don‘t tell anyone: also with the surf teacher 😂

4. What are the best and the worst things about surfing?

Best thing is that when you surf the whole world stands still- it’s only you and the ocean. Worst thing is that you crave that feeling so much — when you live far away from the ocean.

5. What famous surfer would you like to hang out with?

Alana Blanchard

6. What is the best post-surf meal?

Smoothie

7. Who inspires you?

My dad: He figured out what counts most in life — and it’s nothing which can be bought.
Buy Cheap Fish Tanks- A Better Reality
Tags: Ocean

Fish tanks are a sure shot way to enhance the beauty of the room. There are different types of fish tanks in the market which might suit your room or design. One tank is not suitable for everyone as you can try more from Exotic Fish Shop. When going to choose a fish tank through Exotic Fish For Sale, you might find numerous retailers in the market. Many colorful shops are solely based on providing fish tanks; whereas some fish sellers also have the facility to Buy Exotic Fish on the spot. Many retailers would have told you that you should stay away from cheap fish tanks.

Many people would try to trick you into believing that these are cheaper because the glass or acrylic used is of low quality. Some might trap inexperienced fish owners by saying that the fish would service longer and better in an expensive aquarium. Even if you try to argue with them that the other retailer was selling the same item at a cheaper rate, they will dismiss you by saying that the quality would be different. If you are still not satisfy, you can Buy Live Fish Online.

The price of Exotic Aquarium Fish mainly depends on two things; one of them is its size. The size that you want depends upon your room and where you want to place it. You should choose Exotic Freshwater Fish according to your interior design. Just because you have spent a lot in that room does not mean that you have to do that with the fish tank. No need to spend a lot of money, since nobody will be able to tell the difference between an expensive and a cheap Live Fish For Sale Online. You should firstly consider the size you want and choose the aquarium on the basis of that. Ask for the opinion of the decorator and reference from him.

Also, the choice of the right Blue Arowana For Sale depends upon the location. You should decide what type of color and design would suit the surrounding environment. It is necessary that you choose the place which is commonly used. So, that it is properly maintained. Keeping it in the far corner of the house, might result in you forgetting to feed the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey. The place should have enough capacity to move and properly install the fish tanks.

The only other thing that can affect the price is the thickness of the glass. You can also choose an acrylic fish tank. This is just because the cost to acquire them is more. If you plan on buying a big sea animal then you need a thicker tank. Any excess amount charged is just profit and just goes into the pockets of the seller. That is why it is better to opt for Gulper Catfish.

Once you go to buy fish tanks, just keep these factors in mind. Make sure you understand the fact that a good fish tank is not judged by its price. It is decided on what you need and expect from it. So, do not get confused by the words of some crafty seller looking to make easy money.

Visit us https://exoticfishshop.net/
We Are Ekoru
Tags: About Us, Oceans, Ekoru, Search Engines, Environment

Meet the people behind Ekoru.org

Hi! My name is Ati, and together with my wife Alison, we’re behind the Ekoru search engine which helps clean and protect our oceans. We’re supported by our wonderful team members dotted around the world. We’re real people who care about our planet and are committed to cleaning and protecting our oceans.

That’s Us

I’m an Australian who has spent 20 years living in South East Asia with a background in developing software for telecommunications and internet service providers. Alison is from Malaysia with a long career in marketing and communications and was a country marketing manager for Nike.

Ajax being “Catus Interruptus”

Together, we live in Kuala Lumpur with our four children and Ajax. Our kids are all under 10 years of age and just starting to be curious about the world around them. They love Ajax who is a playful rescue cat we got from a shelter.

We decided to combine our respective areas of expertise (tech and marketing) to build something that would make the world around us a little bit better. After a lot of hard work ,we launched Ekoru, a search engine that helps our oceans.

Ekoru Search Page

Every search on the search engine helps raise money for causes related to ocean cleanup and marine health. Our servers are powered by hydro-electricity so every search is environmentally friendly too. When users click on a sponsored search result, we get paid by advertisers. We commit 60% of our revenue to our ocean partners.

Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is a fantastic organisation which has teams of people around the world who clean plastic from our oceans and coastlines, preventing our marine life from harm. Operation Posidonia is a cutting edge project by University of New South Wales which is reforesting our oceans by replanting seagrass meadows which generate oxygen and trap CO2.

You can read more about each initiative in the links below:

Operation Posidonia

Big Blue Ocean Cleanup

We just wanted to introduce ourselves and thank you for using Ekoru as your preferred search engine. We greatly appreciate all of the tweets and messages of support we’ve received from users around the world and we value all of you.

Change your search engine. Save our oceans. Spread the word!
Reforesting Our Oceans. Wait… What?
Tags: Oceans, Ekoru, Climate Change, Search Engines, Reforestation

Yes that’s right, we’re already helping clean oceans with Big Blue Ocean Cleanup and now every search also helps reforest our oceans in the fight against climate change. By joining forces with Operation Posidonia, Ekoru.org is helping make our oceans greener by replanting seagrass meadows.

Posidonia Australis Sea Meadows

The unsung heroes in our fight against climate change, seagrass meadows are something you’ve probably never heard of. These native ocean plants are crucial in combating climate change and keeping our oceans healthy.

Operation Posidonia led by University of New South Wales Australia is developing cutting edge techniques to replant seagrass meadows in our oceans.

Seagrass Meadows Seen From Space — NASA Earth Observatory

Seagrass can capture carbon 40 times faster than tropical rainforests, and research indicates that one hectare of seagrass can store as much carbon as ten hectares of dry-land forest. Blue carbon sinks which are actually green!

In addition to fighting climate change, seagrass roots prevent coastal erosion, act as nurseries for small marine animals, and improve water clarity by absorbing nutrients from land runoff.

Operation Posidonia Scientists Replanting Seagrass

Operation Posidonia is supported by citizen scientists who collect seagrass shoots which have been washed onshore. Once collected, they are washed, nourished in a nutrient bath, and then replanted by divers using special mats which allow them to reestablish roots in the ocean floor. Survival rates for replanted seagrass shoots has been an astonishing 90%!

Every search on Ekoru helps reforest our oceans

Searches on Ekoru generate an income from sponsored search links. 60% of that income goes straight to our ocean partners. Every search now helps reforest our oceans and remove plastic waste.

The Beauharnois hydro-electric plant powering Ekoru servers

Ekoru servers are located in green data centers powered by hydro-electricity. This minimizes your carbon footprint on the Internet and ensures that every web search is as green and eco-friendly as possible.

Ekoru Search on computer and mobile

Ekoru works on all mobile phones and computers by simply pointing your browser at www.ekoru.org . Computer browser extensions are available that will let you use Ekoru as your default search engine every day. An Android search app is available for mobile with an iPhone version coming soon.

Add Ekoru Search To Chrome Browser

Add Ekoru Search To Firefox Browser

Add Ekoru to the NEW Edge Browser

Add Ekoru Search To Brave

Download Ekoru Search For Android

Save our oceans and change your search engine to Ekoru today!
Suck on This Instead
By: Emilie Froment
Tags: Yoga, Oceans, Pollution, Activism, Consciousness

I don’t know if these exhausting, lolling lollipop sticks (see images) are a symbol of how much we “suck” (and here, I beg you to not forgive the pun), but we must un-“stick” our suckiness from this insolent planet-mankind dialogue. It is time for us. to save ourselves and to suck a little more on the truth of our genuine purpose and irrevocable connectedness than on the lollipop / cutip land-up-in-a-turtle’s-eye or asphyxiate-a-seahorse version of truth. All separation is illusion. Everything is a different side of precisely the SAME coin.

In the process of sucking-on-some-true and accepting the mess we’ve made in our lives, the lives of others and that of our planet’s, we’re destined to forgive and to finally do things differently. The repercussions of which might not only save us but also our big, beautiful mama. People, we have to quit sucking profusely on self-centred, self-piteous self-indulgence. I am one of millions who is hopelessly guilty of this and am bowing obediently to a loud and virtuous inclination that invites us to own, and show up for, life. Ultimately, for a greater good.

Garbage Yoga

And if there are some of you reading this who enjoy yoga as much as I am beginning to enjoy it, I urge you to join me in practicing some downward dogs and sun salutes with the bonus benefit of collecting this crap off our shores while simultaneously dogging down and saluting a cleaner space (inner and outer). These plastic lids and lollipop sticks need to be collected and recycled. During these practice episodes, we can embark on a spiritual Upcycle: transforming the by-products of low self-esteem, transforming the waste of fear materials, the uselessness of persecution complex designs, or unwarranted “it’s-their-fault-not-ours” products into new materials of superior quality, character and value; for self, for all, and for environment.
Innovation SEAscape in APAC
By: Eco-Savvy Rebel
Tags: Watertech, Accelerator, Innovation, Ocean, Water

I have been keeping track of innovations in sustainability for a few years now and 2019 has been the most exciting for APAC thus far!

Smart Cities have led the pact in introducing sustainability-focused innovations with the use of IoT and AI technology. The emergence of innovation focused programs such as the UNDP’s Accelerator Labs and UNLEASH are inspiring a lot of entrepreneurs and solutions architects to take a deeper look at the bigger UN SDGs problems and applying technology to solve these problems.

While no overarching ‘term’ has led the pact yet (is it impact-tech or sustainability-tech?) to house the movement, many sub-techs have made headway in the race for impact — Agtech, foodtech, cleantech and urbantech.

The newest kid on the block is watertech. Although there are crossovers with other ecosystems and subs — Whether it is about water systems, oceans, or seafood, there is no denying the exciting developments in this sector. Here are leading organisations hitting up the APAC shores:

Indonesia: Seafood Innovation Project — Powered by Second Muse, this ecosystem accelerator aims to accelerate innovative solutions to achieve a sustainable economy, and build resilient communities engaged in the Indonesian fisheries sector. They have already selected their first cohort so watch out for developments!

Australia: Water Innovation Labs — Waterlution is scaling its Labs program globally and Australia is the first in APAC to host and develop future water leaders in an immersive journey to accelerate collaborative innovation, fast-track global knowledge-sharing and devise new innovations that improve water security. Applicants can choose which kind of support category they seek when applying.

Singapore: Imagine H20 — Scaled from San Francisco, it is the first water-focused accelerator program outside of the US with a 10-year track record of accelerating startups. Based in Singapore, the program aims to bridge startups to the Southeast Asia region and get those customer validations going! Applications for the program closes in 2 weeks!

Other notable programs are Impact Hub’s collaborations from Amsterdam to Tokyo on Ocean programs; Katapult Ocean in Norway and Circulate Capital and Second Muse’s Incubator Network that seeks to accelerate solutions to ocean plastic waste by partnering with existing incubators to build ecosystems of waste management and recycling innovators in SSEA.

A special mention to active local non-profits and conservation agencies that are generating buzz to educate and mobilize conservatory efforts on the ground. Sri Lanka’s Oceanswell and the Philippines’ Save Philippine Seas along with Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Foundation are rallying support and donations, plus churning out reports to show real data of their ecosystem’s status.

While we are constantly barraged with doomsday stories on climate change, maybe this week we should start off with something positive by applauding these climate actors out there who are making it work!

SDGs:
Extreme fishing in Ark Survival Evolved: Piranhas
Tags: Oceans, Fishing, Gaming, Pc Gaming, Explore

“The oceans cover 70% of the surface of our planet, and yet they are still the least explored” — Sir David Attenborough.

Did you know that more than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored? Understanding all species in the ocean is a challenge for researchers. The oceans of Ark: Survival Evolved are also home to marine creatures that we may easily recognize. But in the depths, just like our seas, they are home to an immense amount of mysterious creatures. Today we will talk about piranha, a carnivorous fish often found in rivers and lakes. Possessing an incredibly powerful bite, they are even capable of piercing the shells of turtles. No single piranha is an overwhelming threat, but their tendency to attack in groups is what makes them truly dangerous.

In the open-world survival game Ark: Survival Evolved, the piranha is a relatively small predator, compared to the much larger and stronger creatures that these fish can wipe out in a matter of seconds. Piranhas can be described in two simple words: small and ugly. Piranhas are very scary looking with crescent-shaped tails. Piranhas come in many colors, of which the most common for survivors would be the red piranha.

Piranhas have a strong personality; they are very aggressive and will attack any target regardless of its size. They will even attack the fearsome Tyrannosaurus. Be careful! Players often fall into the following situation: to avoid the attack of some carnivorous dinosaur, they run to the bank of a river, and once inside the river, they find themselves face the worst possible scenario, a group of hungry piranhas. Any lone piranha is easy to kill, but killing an entire group can be a daunting task.

Piranhas in Ark: Survival Evolved are mainly found in freshwater inland lake areas, and, unfortunately for the survivors, there are lots of them. Although it is possible to catch piranhas in with the fishing basket, catching piranhas will not grant the player any points or level up. The primary purpose of a tamed piranha is to become food. By defeating piranhas, you will get raw fish meat. When engaged in capturing piranhas, one must be careful not to be seen by other groups of piranhas, as they can swim and move in very shallow water. The piranha is a very annoying creature and we must be extremely careful when encountering them in the wild.
Why Plastic Straws are Ruining our Environment
By: Sydney Taps
Tags: Environment, Plastic, Ocean

We may never get the chance to explore the last frontier: the ocean. Every year eight million tons of plastic waste makes its way into our ocean. This waste wreaks havoc on the oceans wildlife and ecosystems.

Of all the different kinds of plastics that contribute to this growing environmental crisis, plastic drinking straws are particularly insidious. This is due to the fact that they are smaller in size and often never make it to recycling facilities. Straws are also too small to be sorted in these facilities and end up slipping through the cracks of sorting machines.

Most people who use straws do not need them in order to consume liquids and do not understand the need to dispose of them properly. One only has to take a stroll on one of the beaches across the country and see the effect straws have had. They slip out of trash cans and drinks worldwide and end up floating through storm drains and right into the ocean.

In 2015 a video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck up its nose went viral. Marine biologists seen in the video, were attempting to dislodge the straw from the animal. The poor little creature was clearly in a great deal of pain and distress. This viral video was one of the catalysts that began an environmental movement to begin to ban single use plastics.

So far 5 different states have a pending ban on plastic straws. Some individual businesses and cities have also started to take part in this initiative. Some may ask why plastic straws? They seem harmless enough, but take one look at that video of the sea turtle and you will not feel the need to ask why.

Additionally, plastic straws may also be a threat to human health as well as marine and aquatic health. Fish and sea animals accidentally consume plastic straws all the time because they never actually break down. Straws may break up into pieces due to wear and tear, but they then turn into microplastics that stick around in our ocean. When fish ingest these microplastics the chemicals leach into the fish. We then catch the fish and consume them ourselves and end up also ingesting the microplastics.

Obviously, a change is needed and a ban on plastic straws seems like a step in the right direction. However, that does not mean we have to say goodbye to straws altogether. There are safe alternatives to plastic straws already in existence. Paper straws are the safest and most convenient alternative available right now. Paper can break down in water and also a very easily recycled material.

Next time you are given the choice just say NO to plastic straws.
Reading Surf Forecasts: The Basics
By: Lazy Surfer App
Tags: Oceans, Weather, Surfing, Sports, Apps

Any forecast worth its salt will include at least 7 metrics.

Swell Height —This has a technical definition that we’ll get into in a later post but for now let’s use the obvious definition — this is the height from the bottom (trough) of the wave to the top (crest).

Swell Direction — The direction in degrees (270° being west, 90° being east) that the waves are coming from (not going to).

Swell Period — The time (in seconds) between waves. We’ll get into why this is important later.

Wind Speed + Wind Direction— Self explanatory. Direction is measured in degrees just like swell direction.

Tide Height — This, like swell height, has a technical definition but for now we’ll go with the obvious definition — this describes how high up the shore the water would sit if there were no waves.

Tide Direction — Is the tide going up or down?

Most beginning surfers focus on one metric — swell height. While quite important this metric rarely tells the whole story and if you rely solely on it, you’ll end up surfing some awful waves.

In our next post, we’ll go over how to use these metrics to tell if that 4–5 foot swell is going to be as good as it sounds.
Diving in Mexico
By: Anna Schroeder
Tags: World Travel, Travel, Oceans, Mexico, Diving

I had recently heard a lot of good things about Mexico and, along with a lot of my dive buddies having worked or currently working there, I jumped at the chance to go for a diving trip — and I wasn’t disappointed either.

I went off to explore the popular underwater adventure that is diving in Cozumel, which I can say was maginificent. Most of the central dive spots are on the West Coast of Cozumel and due to the changing currents, they are drif dives.

The coral reef, though, is extremely healthy and the underwater formation of the land is amazing, with many swim-throughs. I must say that this isn’t a spot with much fish and has very little in the way of macro marine life, but you will be visited by an abundance of loggerhead and green turtles, nurse sharks and also eagle rays.

While on the ferry back over to the mainland, I took a short drive up to the Belmond Maroma Resort, which is home to the most relaxing diving I have ever done. Imagine pretty schools of fish, great topography and no boats for miles.

I moved further down the coast to Playa del Carmen for a few dives, again admiring over the blue and clear waters along the picturesque coastline to your next dive spot. I was extremely lucky as I was a little early for the bull shark season, so off I went to seek out these giants and I found them.

Late November to Mid-March is when the pregnant bullsharks around this place start to give birth. This is the only time when these creatures are relaxed enough for you to dive with them. This dive is all about being on the bottom of the ocean and watching the bull sharks coming towards you from all angles. It truly is an amazing thing to witness. The dive lasted around 45 minutes and we had up to 6 sharks coming to check us out (as well as an eagle ray!).

Now on to the Cenote diving. This is a different kind of diving all together. I moved further down the coast to Tulum, which is world-famous for having access limestone sink holes filled with crystal-clear water. Diving in these underground, fresh water river systems with the sun light glistening through the various sink holes along the way. You are never in darkness and you always have an exit in reach so you never feel you are going into the unknown.

There are hundreds of cenotes to dive with El pit, Dos Ojos, Carwash and Angelita being some of the top ones.

If you are looking for a place to do some spectacular diving, you cannot go wrong with Mexico. Whats more is that the food and culture of the country also make it a worthwhile trip and the fact that you can dive and see so much within a small space of land is incredible. From the cenotes to the bull sharks, Mexico diving has everything to offer!