Round the World - eXXpedition

This time next week, we’ll be kicking off our fi

This time next week, we’ll be kicking off our first virtual voyage!
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We’ve shifted sails, taking what we’ve seen at sea to create impact both on land and online. Inspired by many of the best parts of eXXpedition’s at-sea missions, our virtual voyages will take crew on a two week journey from wherever they may be in the world!
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They’re designed to give guest crew an in-depth understanding of the true impact of the plastics issue, forge and deepen relationships within our eXXpedition global community, develop solutions-based thinking and result in an action plan to apply crew superpowers to solve the problem. Find out more about virtual voyages through the link in our bio!
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Photos by @jcs87, @_winniecj, and @missemilypenn

Join us on Monday as eXXpedition co-founder @misse

Join us on Monday as eXXpedition co-founder @missemilypenn, Science Lead Dr. @_winniecj and ambassador @jcs87 catch up with the team onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s (@schmidtocean) RV Falkor, including eXXpedition crew member Derya Guerer (@geoceanic), @debs1880 and @jessleitmanis who are currently conducting research in the Pacific.
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The panel will be discussing how each crew approaches the plastics issue, conducting science at sea and creating change back on land - and there’ll be a peek into RV Falkor’s science control room and wet lab!
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Tune in at 6am Brisbane / 12pm PT / 8pm UK.

What ocean related podcasts are keeping you entert

What ocean related podcasts are keeping you entertained in lockdown?
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Two of our North Pacific ambassadors and marine scientists, @Ocean_Row and @Em_Dunkers got (virtually) together to record an episode of Making Waves podcast!
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Tune in now on Apple Podcasts

There are over 5 trillion plastic fragments in the

There are over 5 trillion plastic fragments in the ocean – but many times that sinking!
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But it’s a common misconception that all microplastics float on the surface of the sea… marine litter also sinks! Some studies even estimate that 70% of ocean plastic sinks to the sea floor.
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This is due to ocean mixing processes, such as wind and wave action, which can push debris into different layers of the ocean!
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Using our manta trawl, Niskin bottle and Van Veen sediment grab, we’ve collected samples from different ocean layers - surface, subsurface and sediment - to find out just where plastic is ending up!
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Photo @anja.roennfeldt

From individual to workplace, local community to e

From individual to workplace, local community to entire nations, no matter who we are or where we come from, we each have a role in addressing the challenges our ocean faces.
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How will you use your superpowers to create change this year?

To kick off the new year, the EU has ruled on impo

To kick off the new year, the EU has ruled on importing and exporting plastic waste shipments!
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At the end of 2020, the European Commission decided on new rules which dictate which plastic waste can be exported from the EU to developing nations. -
Under these new rules, all non-recyclable plastic waste has been banned from export, with only clean plastic waste for recycling allowed to be shipped.
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Previously, shipments of plastic waste have been sent abroad to developing nations from the EU, where waste can end up being poorly managed, burned or dumped in the sea.
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It will be interesting to see which legislation will come out 2021!
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Photo by @sophiedingwall

Happy New Year from eXXpedition!⁠ ⁠ With the n

Happy New Year from eXXpedition!⁠
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With the new year comes new opportunities to create change - whether actively or remotely. Times are changing - and so are we.⁠
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It’s time to stop thinking of the stay-at-home new normal as a “pause”. With changes to work-life balance, many of us have more time to create an even more profound impact on the natural world.⁠
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Think of 2021 as an opportunity to get creative.⁠
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Photo by Lynsi Wavra

Huge congratulations today to our Co-Founder Emily

Huge congratulations today to our Co-Founder Emily Penn @missemilypenn who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Years Honours for a decade of work on ocean conservation!
#BEM #newyearshonours #oceanconservation #microplastics #womeninSTEM

What are your new years’ resolutions for the pla

What are your new years’ resolutions for the planet?⁠
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New Year’s resolutions, though often associated with personal betterment, are also the perfect opportunity to rethink how we can make habitual shifts in our daily lives to protect our planet.⁠
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Here are some of our favourite resolutions that will help you to better the planet from home:⁠
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1. Make sustainable swaps in your daily household products. Conduct an audit of your most used products and start by choosing one to swap out for a plastic-free alternative!⁠
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2. Better dispose of your plastic. Whether you’re returning plastic to a circular economy, recycling it correctly or choosing a biodegradable alternative - think of the full life-cycle of all the products you use.⁠
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3. Use your (virtual) voice to educate those around you and in your wider community, start that project - whether it’s a blog, writing an article or a podcast!⁠
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Let us know which shifts you will be making in the new year in the comments - and don’t forget to visit the SHiFT platform for inspiration (link in bio)⁠
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Photo by Claire McCluskey

In tackling the plastics pollution issue, we know

In tackling the plastics pollution issue, we know that solutions need to start back on land. It’s great to see new, innovative solutions coming from upstream, across industries and different aspects of life.⁠
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The SHiFT platform, in partnership with @sapsports, features hundreds of solutions to the plastics issue - many of which can be enacted at home! Since its inception, we’ve seen people tackling the plastics issue through many different creative avenues, including through circular economy, measuring your single use plastic consumption and switching to biodegradable alternatives.⁠
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If you haven’t seen them already, our founder @MissEmilyPenn hosted a number of Instagram live sessions with SHiFT platform contributors. Head over to her IGTV channel to watch them!⁠
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Photo by Rachel O'Callaghan⁠

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