When it comes to addressing climate change, the Earth's oceans need to have a larger role in our efforts to combat the crisis, according to Phillippe and Ashlan Cousteau, co-authors of Oceans for Dummies, and the sea is in fact "central" to the discussion.
"When you think about our planet, 71 percent is ocean, so right there we have a lot of space to cover. And really, our ocean has done us a huge service by actually absorbing about a third of the carbon emissions that we have put into our atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels," Ashlan Cousteau said.
She explained that while the ocean acts as one of our first lines of defense, it has become overwhelmed, the waters have become acidic, and as a result, crucial resources at the bottom of the food chain have been significantly impacted.
The couple also agreed that one of the biggest misconceptions about the ocean is that it's "too big to fail" but in reality, it is already failing. One of the biggest indicators that the oceans are in dire need of restoration is the fact that they are warming.
"In some cases, we talk about climate 'weirding' or certainly climate change, it's because of the function of the ocean and how it moves heat around the planet. As it's warming, that is being impeded and thus our entire planet is changing with disastrous consequences," noted Phillippe, the grandson of legendary undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau.
Furthermore, not only are humans distorting the physical makeup of the ocean, we are also depleting food resources through excessive fishing, said the duo.
The couple heads up the nonprofit organization EarthEcho International where the mission is to empower global youth populations and educate them so they can set out to "restore and protect the ocean and planet."
"Fundamentally, what it's about is recognizing the next generation is optimistic and determined, and we can't build an effective global environmental movement and grow that movement without targeting education and youth empowerment," Phillippe said.
As President Joe Biden hosts world leaders in a virtual climate summit to establish goals to keep warming at bay, the Cousteaus are hoping the role oceans play in the fight against climate change gets prioritized.
"I think that a lot of times the ocean has been left out of our planet conversation, out of our save the planet, and out of the climate crisis," Ashlan said. "So, we really do hope that people are coming around, and we think that they are. Literally, there is a wave of people that see the ocean now as one of our best ways to save us."
Eli Yokley, Senior Reporter at Morning Consult, joins Cheddar News to discuss how Americans are prioritizing economic issues over the pandemic when it comes to voting.
President Biden's disapproval rating hit a new high in December according to a poll from CNBC and Change Research, as Americans expressed their disapproval over the current state of the economy. This comes just months after the president signed a historic infrastructure bill back in November that was promised to bring a surge of jobs, especially in the manufacturing sector.
Change Research Senior Pollster Nancy Zdunkewicz spoke to Cheddar News about just what is driving the President’s disapproval rating.
As the Omicron variant continues to sweep across the country. The US Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments at the end of this week on whether or not the Biden administration can force private companies to vaccinate or test millions of their employees. In addition, the National Nurses United has spearheaded legal action to protect nurses and health care workers, patients, and the public while on the job. President of the National Nurses Union, Zenei Cortez, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Far too often, Americans are forced to navigate a tangled web of outdated government websites, offices way out of their reach, and hours of time 'on hold' to access the simple government services they depend on. A recent executive order, signed by President Biden, is intended to improve, streamline and modernize the 'customer' experience when accessing government services. Mina Hsiang, the administrator of the United States Digital Service, joins Cheddar News to discuss how the tech workforce is impacted by this executive order.
Today marks one year since the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol. The Country watched as supporters of then-President Trump stormed what was assumed to be the most secure building in the country in an attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 Election. Several lawmakers, including the Vice President, could be seen ducking down as they feared for their lives. Democratic Michigan Representative Dan Kildee, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Stocks closed lower on Friday as investors continue to worry over rate hikes. John Lynch, CIO of Comerica Wealth Management, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he says value is back in play with investors. Lynch also believes the market has overreacted to the latest Fed minutes, suggesting a bounce-back at some point.
Ben Armstrong, founder of Bitboy Crypto, joins Cheddar News to discuss Bitcoin's downward trend and what's next for crypto after protests in Kazakhstan cause crypto miners to shut down.
Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine joins Cheddar Politics to discuss his lawsuit against the extremist groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers over their role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Josh Pasek, a professor at the University of Michigan and expert on political communication and misinformation, joins Cheddar News to discuss how political radicalization happens and how America got to this point.
Kyle Kondik, managing editor at Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, joins Cheddar News to discuss what to expect at the 2022 midterm elections.
