Meet Jess, who joined eXXpedition Ascension in 2015 sailing across the Atlantic from Senegal to Brazil on board 72ft Sea Dragon. Every day they sampled and analysed microplastics in the ocean’s surface water which had a profound impact on Jess.
The experience of the voyage was the first step in Jess’ journey moving from an accomplished project manager in the major events industry to sustainability consultant. Born in the UK, her career in events gave her the opportunity to travel the world delivering large scale international events. Now settled in France, we caught up with her to see where her love of adventure, voyage experience and new perspective led her and what she has been up to since!
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Tell us a bit about yourself
Born in London I then spent my early childhood living in Germany before returning to the UK where I stayed until I finished university. Following the completion of my first master’s degree I was lucky enough to work on exciting projects which took me around the world before I settled in France.
Historically, my background lies in project managing large scale international events such as the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, NFL, Champions League and others. In 2015, I became self-employed to give me the opportunity to broaden my experience and explore my interest in environmental issues.
We think of ocean pollution as being a contained issue, only in the ocean, but we are disconnected from the full reality of its impact on the natural environment and our own health.
What’s your superpower?
I would say my superpower, if it is a superpower – it could also be a super hindrance! Is being relentlessly determined to achieve goals that I feel strongly about – these can be professional and/or personal. It almost always requires me having to change tack multiple times and might take me years to get there…but the end goal is always in sight.
For example, when I got off the boat with the new knowledge of microplastics, my life didn’t change instantly. It took time to digest what I had learnt and start thinking more laterally about the cause and effect of climate change. We think of ocean pollution as being a contained issue, only in the ocean, but we are disconnected from the full reality of its impact on the natural environment and our own health. Gradually I started making changes in both my personal and professional life in line with this new knowledge.
How did you first hear about eXXpedition?
My friend worked for eXXpedition. Someone had dropped out of the voyage last minute and I had just finished a project so I jumped at the opportunity to join. I think I signed up one week before we left Senegal!
microplastics are literally everywhere and in everything
What was the most surprising thing you learnt during your Voyage?
That microplastics are literally everywhere and in everything. Each day of the voyage we took samples of ocean surface water to examine for microplastics. What amazed me was, as we travelled further from land with no boats or people in sight, we continued to find microplastics in the daily samples.
For the wider context, the toxicologist onboard educated us regarding the number of microplastics in our own bodies, ingested through food, water and its packaging. It was shocking and disturbing to understand the scale of the issue.
It was shocking and disturbing to understand the scale of the issue.
Can you tell me a bit about your role now and how the experience has influenced your work since?
The experience and new knowledge I gained from the trip confirmed to me that I wanted to shift my career and carry out work more related to environmental issues. I therefore completed a master’s degree in Global Energy and Climate Policy which enabled this shift. I now work as a sustainability consultant for major events and on projects concerning climate change as well as sustainable food sources and plastic free products for the hospitality sector.
Image Description: Jess highlighting the work of The Last Glaciers at the World Meteorological Organisation during the launch of the International Year of Glacier Preservation.
What are you working on currently?
The United Nations has declared 2025 as The International Year of Glacier Preservation, launched on 21 January. I work with the relevant UN agencies to help build awareness of the critical role glaciers play in maintaining life. Glaciers are the life source for half the population, providing fresh water to communities and cities downstream for humans, animals and plants. They also drive a significant portion of the world’s oceanic circulation as well as reflect solar radiation from space, keeping the earth cool. Losing glaciers will disrupt the balance of the entire Earth.
For example I work with the producers of The Last Glaciers – one of the most comprehensive documentaries on glaciers, to support the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and UNESCO in communicating the science and achieving their goals for The International Year of Glacier Preservation.
Image Description: Glacier des Bossons, Chamonix in the background
What are your plans going forward?
Strategic foresight. With an increasingly uncertain future, strategic foresight and horizon scanning methods help monitor signals of change that could have implications for the environment and society. Given the level of uncertainty regarding our future and the interconnected nature of global challenges, this area of work is becoming more and more prominent in informing future planning and policy.
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time in nature – living in Chamonix means I’m lucky as the mountains are on my doorstep. I am also a qualified yoga instructor and place a lot of importance on health and wellbeing. Going forward I’m keen to build a more sustainable lifestyle. For example, over the last year I have significantly reduced my travel and now I am focused on educating myself on a more sustainable diet – including ways to minimise my intake of microplastics!
…the younger generation who want to protect their future provide a glimmer of hope that some form of systemic change could be possible
What keeps you hopeful about the future of the ocean?
The impacts of this stage of climate change are very real. Already this year we have seen several extreme weather scenarios play out supporting the scientific predictions. This, coupled with the power of the younger generation who want to protect their future provide a glimmer of hope that some form of systemic change could be possible, however unfortunately time is not on our side.
If you could give one message to the world, what would it be?
Challenge the status quo.
We’ve grown up in a world with certain systems. However, we know these systems are not working – so my message would be to encourage people to try and look for ways to do things differently. Break the mould and make things better.