The Oceans are Our Future: Sustainability in business

 


The Clipper Race is proud to have hosted Clipper Connect Business Series: The Oceans are our Future, in association with the Seattle Sports Commission and Port of Seattle to discuss corporate sustainability and the importance of ocean health.

Following an introduction from William Ward OBE, an all-female panel discussed environmental innovation, regulation, ESG (Environmental Social Governance), as well as the ocean litter that our crew has recorded as they cross the oceans on our global route.



On the panel was:

Molly Barker, a K&L Gates Associate and member of the environment, land, and natural resources practice group

Hannah Brewis, Clipper Race First Mate for the Seattle team – who has just sailed across the North Pacific Ocean

Kathleen Hurley, the Senior Environmental Program Manager in the Maritime Environment and Sustainability department at Port of Seattle

Mele Sosa, the Enologist and Wine Educator for Uruguayan winemaker, Bodega Garźon, who is a Team Supporter of the Yacht Club Punta del Este team

Dr Erin Meyer, the Director of Conservation Programs and Partnerships for Seattle Aquarium

The event was moderated by Mara Mote, Seattle Sports Commission.

Dr Erin Meyer, Director of Conservation Programs and Partnerships for Seattle Aquarium commented: “We are here talking about sustainability and regeneration with corporations in the greater Seattle area. At the Seattle Aquarium, I oversee our research and field conservation, policy and advocacy and species work that we do in the US and overseas.”

Talking about the event she explains: “The only way for us to move forward in sustainability and toward a climate resilient future is for businesses, corporations, organisations, NGOs and governments to work together, because it’s through those partnerships that we can really propel innovation and catalyse the future that we are trying to work towards.”



Says Dr Meyer: “In my daily work, I don’t get out on the water very often. It’s amazing hearing Hannah [Brewis] reflect on her experiences at sea and seeing trash floating in the North Pacific, asking her crew to document it, this gives me hope. She is leaning in, and learning about the impacts of marine debris on the ocean, but also inspiring others to connect with these problems and find solutions. I can’t wait to talk with her more.”

“As an all female panel, a rare moment, it’s wonderful! To have representation for future generations and future leaders, it’s so important. I have a daughter and for her to watch events like this and see women leaning into the work they do is fantastic!” Dr Meyer remarks.

On being part of the all-female panel, Kathleen Hurley, the Senior Environmental Program Manager in the Maritime Environment and Sustainability Department at Port of Seattle tells us “I think it’s really important to have representation across the board, and it’s inspiring to see female leaders working within the sustainability and environmental sector.”

“Listening to the panel today, it’s clear that these women have had very close experiences with the ocean, which has been really formative. Listening to Hannah talk about her experiences and the rubbish log, it really seemed like it had a visceral impact on her, and opened her eyes not only to the enormity of the ocean but also the enormity of the issue, and how we are all connected to the ocean.”



Kathleen talked about how everyone can appreciate the need to protect nature, saying: “I think that we can all have ways that we can connect to nature, big or small: microadventures, and noticing the small things, like when the blossoms are coming out in the park or when the leaves are turning in the fall. Not everyone has to cross an ocean to experience that connection to nature, and something that we really need to work on is the fact that people don’t have equitable access to nature and green spaces, so there is a lot of work to be done in this area and to help forge those connections, as this is important in getting people to care.”

“Businesses have a critical role to play in the protection of the environment and overall sustainability. In terms of innovation, product lifecycle, as well as how we use products, greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses can be agile and really lead the way,” Kathleen emphasised.

Mara Mote, from the Seattle Sports Commission, a Clipper Race Team Partner said: “The tagline for the partnership is ‘The Oceans are our Future’ and with this event we are bringing that off the boat to live it and contextualise it.”

“We heard all the panelists talk about being climate resilient and how climate change has impacted their businesses or local communities - the message has definitely been for businesses to take a step back and look at the natural environment where they are operating and what has changed, and what is projected to change and what businesses are doing to make it through climate changes.

“We have talked about the importance of partnerships and using them to learn from each other, and from an operational viewpoint, working together. All five panellists have personal connections to the natural world from a young age and have witnessed changes in real time. We need to engage with climate change, and with each other on climate change.”



Head of Partnerships and Events for The Clipper Race, Laura Ayres, explains how the Clipper Connect Business Series is utilised across the world: “Clipper Connect is used as a catalyst for conversation to connect like-minded people around the world; businesses, Race Partners, crew, and new audiences. We connect them with interesting subjects that are relevant to the destination we are in, for example, we have talked about waterfront development in China. Here we are talking about sustainable practice in business.”