Inclusion and diversity are a priority in GEO Blue Planet

The GEO Blue Planet community works hard to be inclusive and ensure diversity in all its activities, from selecting participants in its steering committee and working groups to choosing speakers at events. Initially coordinated by a single US Office, today the GEO Blue Planet Secretariat functions as distributed centre, with offices in the US, Europe and Asia. The GEO Blue Planet steering committee has co-chairs from Africa, Central America and Europe, and members from every continent.

Inclusion and diversity in actions and decisions is crucial for finding effective solutions to better protect our ocean and use its resources in a sustainable manner. Empowering all citizens on our planet with information on the ocean and coastal waters and giving them a voice is key, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, national origin, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, experience. By harnessing the power of diversity in activities, only then can we understand the specific information needs of different stakeholders and provide meaningful ocean and coastal data, information and downstream services. For more information about diversity and inclusion in GEO, see the GEO Statement on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

GEO Blue Planet support for Early Career Ocean Professionals

GEO Blue Planet is also a proud partner of Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network Decade Programme and works hard to ensure the participation of ECOPs in all our activities and events, to bring on board the next generation of leaders, scientists and stakeholders and ensure their voice is considered in current actions.

GEO Blue Planet co-coordinates the Ocean Bridges Task Force (Bridging (Ocean) Research, Innovation and Diversity across Generations of Experts and Stakeholders), an ECOP Decade programme.

Every year, the GEO Blue Planet U.S Office recruits a PhD student, supported by the NOAA National Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, to help coordinate and provide scientific support for activities, as well as organise and speak at events.

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Hello! My name is Nikelene Mclean and I had the pleasure of serving as the 2022 Knauss Marine Policy Fellow at the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division of NOAA NESDIS in support of the GEO Blue Planet Initiative. As a native of the Caribbean islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I was drawn to GEO Blue Planet’s mission of promoting the use of ocean and coastal observational data to support policy and decision making in regions of the world most susceptible to marine and coastal related issues such as large ocean states and developing countries. Additionally, as a geospatial biologist characterizing the spatiotemporal population dynamics of disruptive jellyfish species in the Chesapeake Bay, I was highly impressed not only by the far reaching applications of remote sensing in supporting the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, but more so by the vast network of scientists, Earth Observation experts and decision makers from across the world who worked together to provide actionable outcomes based on stakeholder needs. As a fellow working to support the coordination of the GEO Blue Planet Secretariat, facilitation of the fisheries, climate adaptation and eutrophication working groups and organization of the GEO Blue Planet Symposium in Accra, Ghana- it was an absolute honor to be part of an initiative deeply committed to harvesting the power of science, technology and policy to support a more sustainable future for communities, countries and regions that are often overlooked.

I am Mafalda de Freitas, a marine biologist specialising in marine acoustics and noise pollution. Today, I work as a Project Director at Peniche Ocean Watch, where we are dedicated to pioneering a Blue Circular Economy model for coastal communities worldwide. Our initiatives span from mapping coastal marine biodiversity to recycling ocean plastics and promoting ocean literacy.

My journey with GEO Blue Planet began during the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon. At a workshop organized by GEO Blue Planet/ Ocean Bridges, titled “Integrating Marine Litter Monitoring for Informed Action,” where, alongside other Early Career Ocean Professionals, I helped moderate sessions. During the event I found myself deeply engaged with like-minded ECOPs and Experienced Ocean Professionals, highlighting the value of intergenerational dialogue and cemented the importance of ocean observation and data for informed decision-making.

I have since teamed up with GEO Blue Planet to communicate the significance of Ocean Observation efforts and data to the public and decision makers. This collaboration aligns perfectly with my passion of developing and implementing sustainable solutions to address ocean challenges.

GEO Blue Planet’s commitment to fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and translating it into actionable outcomes is inspiring. Together, we are creating an ecosystem of science, technology, and policy that supports not just our oceans, but the communities and industries that rely on them. It’s an honour to contribute to an initiative that truly believes in making a positive impact on our world.

Greetings! I’m Joy Deep Chakrabartty, 2023 Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, stationed within the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division of NOAA NESDIS, contributing to the GEO Blue Planet Initiative.

My academic journey has been quite an adventure, leading me to pursue a PhD in Environmental Economics at the University of Delaware. Along the way, I’ve collected additional degrees in Marine Science and Policy (MS) and Economics (MS), complemented by my undergraduate background in Urban and Regional Planning. My professional expedition has seen me collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the World Bank Bangladesh, UNICEF Bangladesh, IFC, the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) at BUET, Oxford University etc. My previous projects were focused on environmental resource valuation, environmental policy, Blue Economy, urban planning, transport economics, water quality etc.

Now, let’s dive into why GEO Blue Planet has me brimming with enthusiasm. My tenure with this remarkable initiative has been an exhilarating ride, an opportunity to unleash the full potential of my diverse skills and interests. Currently, I find myself at the helm of the Climate Adaptation Working Group. Here, we’re crafting Coastal Adaptation Plan Guidelines tailored specifically for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Moreover, I’m collaborating closely with UNEP on the vital SDG 14.1.1 and 14.1.2 indicators, contributing actively to the global sustainability agenda. GEO Blue Planet has been an eye-opener, expanding my horizons and granting me the privilege of participating as a panelist and presenter at various international conferences including the NAP Expo in Santiago, Chile, the GEO Symposium, and Open Data Open Knowledge Symposium in Geneva along with the opportunity to visit many countries in Europe.

In fact, my engagement extends beyond speaking engagements. I’m actively involved in orchestrating symposium sessions, and I’ll soon have the honor of co-chairing two sessions at the upcoming 6th GEO Blue Planet Symposium in the bustling city of Seoul, Republic of Korea.

In conclusion, my heart is brimming with gratitude for the remarkable opportunities that GEO Blue Planet has bestowed upon me. These experiences have empowered me to make meaningful contributions across a spectrum of sectors and have offered me priceless exposure to the international scientific and policy community. GEO Blue Planet remains a beacon of inspiration, and I eagerly waiting for the forthcoming collaborations and achievements on this thrilling journey. ”

INCLUSION & DIVERSITY

Inclusion and diversity are a priority in GEO Blue Planet

GEO Blue Planet support for Early Career Ocean Professionals

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