“The fact is if you save the oceans you save the whole world because the oceans are the lungs of the planet. Without the oceans, all earth dies. The oceans don’t need land, land needs the oceans.”
Louie Psihoyos
Parley was invited to take part in World Energy Day at the United Nations on October 22, 2013 to address and brief world leaders and delegates on the state of the oceans. From overfishing to ocean acidification and plastic pollution, the message was delivered loud and clear: the oceans are are in danger and we need to act now.
Parley member organizations taking part included Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Ocean Alliance, Oceanic Preservation Society, The Terramar Project, and Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
Thanks to all the speakers for giving the oceans a voice.
LOUIE PSIHOYOS
Louie Psihoyos is Executive Director of the Oceanic Preservation Society and Director of the Academy Award winning documentary The Cove. He has been widely regarded as one of the top photographers in the world. He was hired directly out of college to shoot for National Geographic and created images for the magazine for 18 years.
IAIN KERR
Dr. Iain Kerr is the CEO of the Ocean Alliance, an organization recognized as an international leader in whale research and ocean conservation since its founding by renowned scientist Dr. Roger Payne in 1970. Ocean Alliance programs include the Voyage’s of the Odyssey and the Patagonia Right Whale Program.
DANIELLA RUSSO
Daniella Dimitrova Russo is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Plastic Pollution Coalition, a global alliance of individuals, organizations and businesses working together to end plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on people, animals and the environment.
DIANNA COHEN
TED speaker, multi-media artist, painter and curator Dianna Cohen is best known for her works using recycled plastic bags. She is Creative Advocacy Director and Co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a global alliance of individuals working to stop plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals and the environment.
LEWIS PERKINS
Lewis Perkins is a champion for sustainability – personally and professionally. Prior to joining the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, Lewis consulted to companies both big and small on creating programs and awareness for environmental and social initiatives.
CAPTAIN ALEX CORNELISSEN
Inspired by the work of Captain Watson, Alex Cornelissen joined Sea Shepherd in 2002. Starting as chief cook on Sea Shepherd’s very first Antarctic campaign, he worked his way up to first officer, followed by captain in 2006, and in 2007 he became the director of operations in the Galapagos Islands. In 2013 he became Sea Shepherd’s GEO.
SUSAN HARTLAND
Animal rescuer and advocate, Susan Hartland has served as the Administrative Director of Sea Shepherd since January 2012. Before joining the Sea Shepherd team as an employee, Susan was a volunteer onboard the Steve Irwin from 2009–10 as Comm. Officer and 2nd Mate for the Antarctic, Waltzing Matilda and Blue Rage campaigns.
