New England Aquarium: Why do we Live Blue?
- wallacejnichols
- Oct. 2, 2009
Wallace J. Nichols, PhD
Research Associate, California Academy of Sciences & Founder/Co-Director, Ocean Revolution
I live blue because…
When I look around at the beauty of and challenges facing the planet we live on, there’s no better way to live.
Why do you care about the environment?
That’s kind of like asking “why do your care about your body or your daughter?” Simply put, I don’t see a separation between myself and my kids and the air I breathe, the water I drink, the food I eat and the earth and ocean I walk and swim on. So, it makes sense to take care of it.
How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I’ve been fortunate to spend lots of time in places people call “inspiring.” Places where animals are still in charge and where I’m a visitor on their terms. Places where the human footprint is small or invisible. As a result, I’ve been driven to help safeguard those places. My education and career has been about doing that.
What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
In our home, we try to eat local foods grown by farmers and ranchers nearby. We choose local and sustainable seafood, if at all. And we’ve been working to get plastic waste out of our household in creative and “old fashioned” ways. Beyond our local actions, we vote blue for candidates who understand that the future of water and the ocean is paramount. The “LIVE BLUE/VIVA AZUL” theme is a big part of talks I give to groups all over the world.
