Kelp!
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The intersection of project management and sustainability shows up in odd places. This week, the intersection was pointed out to me by Boston University PM professor Dr. Vijay Kanabar. We were to have a discussion about planning an upcoming course and he needed a little time to finish watching a segment of “60 Minutes”. “What’s so fascinating?”, I asked him. “It’s about farming seaweed”, he said. I was hooked. I didn’t get to see it live, but I did go back and found the segment on CBS News’ website: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/seaweed-farming-and-its-surprising-benefits/ Take a moment and watch this. It’s only about 14 minutes. You can handle it. The idea is quite stunning. It posits that farming the ocean can actually help it. Note the difference – fishing the ocean has definitely HURT it. But this type of farming may help it, as described in this extract of an article from Yale University, referenced below: “…his brand of integrated “ocean farming” actually revitalizes degraded or dying ecosystems by creating seaweed groves that become nurseries and sanctuaries for many marine species. It’s a pro-active approach to conservation, he says, that goes beyond the growing movement to create no-fishing reserves. “In an era of climate change, you could set aside the entirety of the world’s oceans in preserves and they are still going to die,” he says. “What we really need is engines of restoration within our conservation zones.” Kelp, it turns out, helps absorb the acid in the increasingly acidic ocean. This led me to investigate the main character of the story, Bren Smith – a fascinating man. You can (and should) learn more about his story here: On the academic side, it was also interesting to learn about the research behind this, mainly from Dr. Charlie Yarish. To learn about Dr. Yarish’ work, here is an article from Yale University: https://e360.yale.edu/features/new_breed_of_ocean_farmer_aims_to_revive_global_seas In addition, have a look at this short video: Smith has become a bit of a project initiator himself, having helped launch GreenWave. Have a look at the work this organization does – which involves launching sea-farming projects. What is GreenWave? GreenWave is a non-profit ocean farmer and fisherman-run organization dedicated to building a new blue-green economy that creates jobs, mitigates climate change, and grows healthy food for local communities. We run a farmer-in-training program for aspiring ocean farmers and operate a kelp hatchery to provide free seed to our farmers as they learn the ropes of this farming type and species. We partner with educational institutions and other organizations to expand the body of knowledge around kelp and regenerative 3D ocean farming, and we work to support 3D ocean farming in new regions. We incubate small farmers and small businesses pioneering in this new ocean-farming space.
3D ocean farming is a vertical polyculture farming system that utilizes the entire water column to grow a mixture of seaweed and shellfish that require zero inputs (no fertilizer or freshwater) and provide important ecosystem services--such as water filtration, and nitrogen and carbon sequestration. What I really enjoy about this story is the combination (as in the blog title) of people, planet, profit, and projects. All elements are in play. This isn’t only about saving the planet, nor is it only about creating jobs, and it’s not only about making money, it’s about all of those things brought together in an interesting and powerful way. What do you think about this? Would you have kelp noodles (instead of fettuccine)? Are you aware of any other efforts like this in which the result is not only to reduce environmental impact, but to reverse it? Oh. And if you were wondering about the reference to the Beatles, well, it's of course in honor of their album not about kelp but about HELP! |
