2010 Opening Session - C Swain Presentation

SWIM FOR A HEALTHY WORLD 1,300+ MILES DOWN THE EAST COAST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

Swim Stats: As of 1/24/2010: • Covered 100+ miles over 40 days in the water • Seen my body fat percentage rise as ocean water temperature falls (and vice versa) • Conducted water sampling at 200+ locations • Recycled over 50,000 pounds of used electronics l t i • Made presentations to 11,000+ students • Shared Swim Stories with over 55 000 people 55,000 through social media like twitter, facebook, and Changents.com g • Received millions of media impressions through stories on the BBC, NPR, and A i t dP

We Are Facing Two HUGE Environmental Problems:

1. 1 Global Climate Change

2. Threats to the Web of Life

Global Climate Change • R t of the Problem: Root f th P bl – We are burning Fossil Fuels Like Coal, Oil, and Gasoline. • Unhelpful Effects: p – When we burn these fuels, they release gases that surround the planet like a blanket, and heat it up. – When the ocean absorbs CO2 it becomes more acidic and the marine web of life is threatened.

Solution: Switch to Clean, Renewable Sources of Energy

Threats to the Web of Life Roots of the Problem: • We are trashing the land, water, and air • We are causingg species to go extinct

SOLUTION: • Stop trashing the planet • Start taking better care of the life around us us.

Measuring Climate Change Effects in the Ocean • Snapshot (“moment in time”) sampling of ocean pH reveals ocean turning acidic • Measured sea surface temperatures are higher than historical average • Sampling at same sites over time would allow us to map the progress of climate change

East Coast Waterway Obse at o System ast ate ay Observation Syste Would: • Allow for collection of data at known locations (moored buoys, fixed ( y sondes, manual sampling at specific locations of intense recreational activity). • Measure parameters that have day-to-day appeal to researchers, educators, students and citizens: – Levels of fecal contamination, – Water temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity nitrates, and chlorophyll – Wave height and period • Over time these efforts would permit us to: – Map the progress of climate change, – Meas re the effects of stormwater events and wastewater Measure storm ater e ents aste ater discharges, – Calculate the mean bacterial loads encountered by swimmers, surfers, fishers, and boaters, – Design and develop more effective regulatory and environmental solutions, and, – Increase use and enjoyment of our coastal waters.

Do You Know Someone Who Could Help? Christopher Swain SwimForAHealthyWorld.Org 617-233-4120

2010 Opening Session - C Swain Presentation

by NE Water Environment on Feb 18, 2010

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2010 Opening Session - C Swain Presentation — Presentation Transcript