Asha de Vos has done pioneering work on blue whales and joined this week for a conversation about her work in Sri Lanka.

The planet “Earth” should probably be called “Water” since 70% of it is ocean. Of course, that also means any discussion of climate issues should start with the oceans. Increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, declining biodiversity, growing acidification and other changes driven by climate change have profound impact on the overall degradation of the planet and on mankind’s future.

Marine biologist Asha de Vos knows as much as anyone about our blue planet. She has done pioneering work on blue whales, the largest animal on earth, and founded Oceanswell in 2017, Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organization. In 2021 she was awarded the Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize.

Asha recently joined New Thinking for a New World host Alan Stoga for a conversation about her work in Sri Lanka.

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Listen to the episode here or find the New Thinking for a New World podcast on a platform of your choice (Apple podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google podcast, Youtube, etc).

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

As a marine biologist, ocean educator and pioneer of blue whale research within the Northern Indian Ocean, Asha de Vos’ life work is to change the current marine conservation model, protect the unique population of blue whales and inspire the next generation of diverse ocean heroes from all corners of the globe. She founded and serves as executive director of Oceanswell, Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organisation and is a leading voice in increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in marine conservation. She believes, if we truly want to save our oceans, every coastline needs a local hero. The quality of her scientific work and impact of her advocacy are internationally recognized.