“This year’s theme is a little more on what we can do in Colorado to save oceans, so it will go beyond just the water flow we’re getting into some of the issues like climate change and ocean acidification,” says Boulder resident Vicki Nichols Goldstein, founder of the Colorado Ocean Coalition. Goldstein is among a growing number of ocean conservationists keen to make people understand that we’re all connected to the oceans by our waterways and atmosphere, and carbon dioxide pollution here leads to ocean acidification.
This year’s event will feature TedX style talks and “Dive-ins,” short presentations following by opportunities to ask questions and engage with speakers, as well as an Ocean Film Festival of selections from the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, a keynote speech by ocean activist and explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau — the son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau — and an art installation and a luncheon focusing on threats at fisheries in the European Union.
Making Waves has also added more kid-centered programming, involving kids in creating decorations and repurposing materials.
“We feel that the children are the generation who’s going to grow up and really tackle these issues, so we wanted to bring in a youth component,” Goldstein says.
Speakers will include cinematographer and marine conservationist Shawn Heinrichs, photographer and executive director of the Oceanic Preservation Society Louie Psihoyos, ocean scientist and activist Wallace Nichols, stunt diver and ocean advocate Mehgan Heaney-Grier, and oceanographer and climate scientist Synte Peacock, Ph.D.
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