Science and Sustainability

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ocean.alanna

Science and Sustainability
• Marine Scientist 🌊
• @umiamirsmas BSc 🙌
• @umassdsmast PhD Student 🎓

Happy World Ocean Day! Since 2008, the UN has mark

Happy World Ocean Day! Since 2008, the UN has marked June 8th as World Ocean Day. This year the theme is Life and Livelihoods, highlighting the sustainable development goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. A few quick facts from the UN:
🌊 Oceans produce the majority of the planet’s oxygen. .
🌊 About 40 million people will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030. .
🌊 Oceans absorb about 30% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, serving as a huge buffer for our climate. .
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I have a lot planned to bring you guys ocean content this month! We have a couple giveaways lined up, one with @activistskincare and another with @mscbluefish . Later this week I’ll be doing an Instagram live with @the.eco.expat and on Sunday I have a zoom-based fireside chat about oceans and climate with @tamsinlacourte . I’ll be recording a new podcast episode with @lochtree later this month - in the meantime check out my previous appearances on the Nudibrains pod with @emilythemarinebiologist and also @thewiseconsumer podcast. Let’s live every day like it’s World Ocean Day! How do you celebrate the ocean? .
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#worldoceanday #worldoceansday #worldoceansday2021 #oceandays #oceandayeveryday #marinescience #marinebiologistlife #marinebiology #plasticfreeforthesea #womeninstem #oceanscience #oceanfunfacts #womeninoceanscience #oceanography #marinelife #nature #ocean #marineresources #oceanoptimism #climateoptimist #celebratetheocean #bethechange #sustainability #lifeandlivelihoods #lifeaquatic

Swipe to see the tiny babies that hatched from the

Swipe to see the tiny babies that hatched from these eggs 💙 I put out a handful of bird houses but the parents decided my patio fern was the best place for a nest. Makes it easier for me to watch them grow up! Everyone can do something to help native bird populations: putting out some food and water sources are obvious, but also avoiding pesticides, keeping cats inside, and reducing single use plastic that birds can ingest or become entangled in are big steps in bird conservation. Not entirely sure what species these guys are but if anyone has thoughts let me know! .
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#birding #birds #babybirds #birdnests #birdconservation #conservation #wildlifeconservation #earthfriendly #green2020 #greenliving #liveeverydaylikeitsearthday #earthdayeveryday #livingconsciously #sustainableliving #sustainabilitytips #sustainability #bethechange #ecofriendly #helpwildlife

This vodka used to be cupcakes!! Even as someone w

This vodka used to be cupcakes!! Even as someone who doesn’t drink much, this is still one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while - @misadventureco saves surplus baked goods (that are unsuitable to be donated to a food pantry) from going to the landfill and becoming food waste, and turns them into gold quality vodka! And not only that, the world’s first CARBON NEGATIVE vodka. Each batch diverts about 1,000 lbs of food waste from landfills. That is crazy! And because I am a sustainability nerd I made sure to ask what happens with all the leftover mash once the sugars are extracted. The awesome people at Misadventure thought of that, and everything is composted! The life cycle of this product is an excellent example of the type of ingenuity we need in the sustainability sector. Definitely check them out next time you’re planning a party for the most eco-friendly alcohol out there! Drink sustainably, saving the world is worth a shot 🍹
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#giftedproduct #zerowaste #earthfriendly #goingzerowaste #green2021 #greenliving #earthdayeveryday #consciousliving #lowimpactlifestyle #positiveimpactmovement #restoreourearth #reducereuserecycle #sustainability #sustainableliving #climatescience #carbonneutral #carbonfootprint #sustainablealternatives #sustainabilitytips #foodwaste #foodwastewarriors #composting #earthoptimism #worthashot #misadventurevodka #drinksustainably #mixeddrinks #bartender

Four years ago today I graduated from @umiamirsmas

Four years ago today I graduated from @umiamirsmas !
About two weeks prior to this was the first time I ever thought about getting a PhD, or going to grad school for that matter. It was not on my radar at all until my undergrad research advisor asked where I’d be attending grad school. I was like what? And then within a few months I was taking the GRE! About a week after my graduation, I was in Mexico boarding a NOAA ship for my first research cruise. I get asked a lot by students what my advice would be for success in marine science so here are my top tips! Save for later if you’re an aspiring marine scientist! .
🌊 This is controversial, and many people say minors mean nothing, but my grad school advisor told me part of what made me stand out was my chemistry minor. It’s only a few extra classes, so I say it can only help you! .
🌊 Talk to your professors. The better they know you and your goals, the better they can direct you to opportunities and career pathways you may not have considered. .
🌊 Get experience as early as possible. I was a little late, starting an internship in my junior year. Obviously it all worked out for the best, but some opportunities are only available to freshman and sophomores. They want to have several years to train up students! .
🌊 You don’t need to major in marine science. I did two majors, biology and marine science, but there are plenty of opportunities in this field for people with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, engineering, math, and so on. .
🌊 Go to sea if you get the opportunity! This is another thing my PhD advisor said made my application stand out, and is relevant job applications as well. .
🌊 Try different things. To be 100% honest, I did not anticipate enjoying zooplankton (in my case larval fish) as much as I do. Don’t miss out on opportunities because of tunnel vision! .
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#marinescience #marinebiology #ocean #marinescientist #biology #conservation #plasticfreeforthesea #womeninstem #womentransformingscience #lifeaquatic #womeninoceanscience #oceanography #oceanscience #undergradlife #collegetips #studentadvice #stemstudent #college #graduation #lifeinacademia #gradschool #gradadvice #aspiringscientists

5Ws OF MY RESEARCH CHALLENGE! • 🌊 WHAT is my

5Ws OF MY RESEARCH CHALLENGE!
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🌊 WHAT is my research about?
I am studying Atlantic bluefin tuna using stable isotope chemistry! By analyzing hard and soft tissues, like otoliths and muscles, for stable isotope signature, I can learn things like where fish were spawned, where they migrated to, and what they’ve been feeding on.

🌊 WHY is it needed?
Historically, the only recognized spawning location for the western stock of Atlantic bluefin tuna has been in and around the Gulf of Mexico. However, a few years ago, larvae were found in the Slope Sea, off the northeast US. This project will help determine the importance of that spawning site!

🌊 WHO is involved?
We have several collaborators internally in my grad program @umassdsmast , both fisheries scientists and biogeochemists, as well as scientists from several NOAA branches and private research labs.

🌊 WHEN will it be used?
Ideally this information will be utilized during stock assessments and when determining catch quotas and best fishing practices.

🌊 WHERE am I doing the research?
Luckily for me all the samples have already been collected! Because of this I don’t need to go to sea, although I may look for more samples in the Slope Sea. Otherwise I’m here at my home lab in New Bedford, MA!

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#marinescience #marinebiologists #marinescientist #plasticfreeforthesea #debrisfreeoceans #womeninstem #womentransformingscience #womeninoceanscience #girlsinoceanscience #marinescienceresearch #oceanography #oceanscience #gradlife #graduateschool #lifeinacademia #oceansciences #phd #phdlife #phdresearch #phdcandidate #steminist #womeninresearch #bluefintuna #fisheries #5wsofmyresearch #isotopechemistry #ocean #marinelife #nature

Make Earth GREEN again! This year’s Earth day th

Make Earth GREEN again! This year’s Earth day theme is “Restore” which I think is very poignant. Most of us can probably agree this past year has been tough, with significant lifestyle changes for a lot of people. Due to more localized living as a product of our situation, we actually have seen a lot of environmental progress in the past year, although primarily in the background. For many, the focus has been on adapting, and environmental issues took a backseat. Nothing wrong with that! It’s been a crazy time. But now, as we return to normalcy, we need to refocus ourselves on perhaps the greatest environmental catastrophe of our lifetimes, climate change. From individual action, to influencing businesses by voting with your dollar, and advocating for environmental legislation, we can make a difference. Our actionable timeframe is short, so we need to rally. While this is a problem that requires immediate attention, with dedication and perseverance we can enact change. What are your thoughts on this issue? .
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#zerowaste #earthfriendly #goingzerowaste #green2021 #greenliving #liveeverydaylikeitsearthday #livingconsciously #lowimpactlifestyle #passonplastic #plasticfreeearth #makeearthgreenagain #positiveimpactmovement #restoreourearth #reducewhatyouproduce #reduceyourfootprint #sustainableliving #sustainabilitytips #yayforearth #youthforclimate #climatechange #climatescience #climatesummit #earthday #earthweek #climateoptimist #climatepositive #climateawareness #sustainability #earthoptimism #oceanoptimism

Just wanted to share one of my really cute chicken

Just wanted to share one of my really cute chickens! They’re all grown up now, two boys and four girls. While not the most practical breed, silkies have always been my favorite. I can talk about chickens literally all day (ask anyone who knows me) so if you have any questions about chickens or just want to discuss how adorable they are, leave a comment 💙
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#backyardchickens #earthweek #earthmonth #chickensofinstagram #silkies #silkiechicken #happyhen #backyardhen #backyardpoultry #backyardflock #happychickens #freerangehens #chickensofig #petchicken #chooksofinstagram #bantamchicken #homesteadliving #minihomestead #gardenhelp #slowliving #sustainability #greenlifestyle #silkiehens #sustainablelivingcommunity #hobbyfarmlife

It’s Earth Month! New Years resolutions are popu

It’s Earth Month! New Years resolutions are popular, but why not make a resolution this month in honor of the Earth? Here are some easy things you can do to be the change:
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Tag someone you want to go green with!
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🌱 Plant a tree or two! Or if you don’t have space for that, plant anything you can! Even putting out a potted plant on a doorstep goes a long way in creating habitat for wildlife and pollinators. .
🌱 Try out some easy sustainable swaps. Bottled shampoo? Switch to a bar. Plastic toothbrush? Switch to bamboo. Still relying on single use utensils? Carry a reusable set with you. .
🌱 Make a donation to an environmental charity! Here are a few great options @wwf @oceana @theconservationfund @earthjustice @350org
🌱 Get into meatless Mondays, or avoid some of the animal proteins with the largest carbon footprints, like lamb and beef. .
🌱 Organize a cleanup! You don’t have to live near a beach, this can take place anywhere. Even you alone picking up a few pieces of litter helps wildlife! .
🌱 To reduce your trash footprint, do a trash audit and see what items in your garbage can are easy to avoid using in the future . .
🌱 Turn off the light when you leave a room, and turn off the water tap while you’re brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes. .
🌱 Eat local! This is the time of year for farmers markets and CSA shares. .
🌱 Support environmental legislation, like the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act in congress (link in bio) .
🌱 Raise awareness about an issue important to you or local to you, even if it’s just to a friend. And if you can’t think of anything, climate change is a global problem that should be important to all of us. .
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Add ideas in the comments! .
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#zerowaste #earthfriendly #goingzerowaste #earthmonth2021 #earthmonth #earthmonthresolution #livingconsciously #lowimpactlifestyle #passonplastic #plasticfreeearth #positiveimpactmovement #reducewhatyouproduce #sustainableliving #carbonfootprint #sustainablelivingtips #oceanawareness #earthoptimism #oceanoptimism #sustainability #breakfreefromplastic #earthmontheverymonth #bethechange #goinggreen2021

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