Today is World Oceans Day! So what.

World Oceans Day may seem like one of those weird manufactured ‘commemorative’ days that make most of us roll our eyes – like “Mother-In-Law Day” (celebrated on the 4th Sunday of every October), or “National Good Neighbor Day “ (observed every September 28th).  And it may well be a manufactured occasion… but while my dear Mom-in-law should not expect to receive an extra greeting card in October, I...

Five movies to get you off your butt

Want to change things in your life but having a hard time getting started?  Need some help getting psyched up? Well, you’ve come to the right place! If you watched The Pursuit of Happiness and felt you had to go fight for your own success; if Pay Forward inspired you to help somebody, Office Space encouraged you to challenge “the man” and Endless Summer was just the push you needed to take up surfing, then...

Deepwater Horizon: Choosing Our Risks

This is Part 3 of a 3 part series on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by Joana Tavares-Reager, oceanographer and marine policy expert.  As with all things we classify as disasters, it is sometimes hard to find the silver lining.  The aim of the series is to discuss the broader impacts of the spill and make a connection to each of our daily lives. Crying over spilled oil Like if wasn’t heartbreaking enough to have...

Deepwater Horizon: A Dispersant Discussion

Part 2 of a 3 part series on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (part 1 here) by Joana Tavares-Reager, oceanographer and marine policy expert.  As with all things we classify as disasters, it is sometimes hard to find the silver lining.  The aim of the series is to discuss the broader impacts of the spill and make a connection to each of our daily lives. Out of sight, out of mind? Dispersants are chemical products...

Deepwater Horizon: The Worst Oil Spill in History

Part 1 of a 3 part series on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by Joana Tavares-Reager, oceanographer and marine policy expert.  As with all things we classify as disasters, it is sometimes hard to find the silver lining.  The aim of the series is to discuss the broader impacts of the spill and make an important connection to each of our daily lives. The Earth continues to bleed oil into the Gulf of Mexico, as we...