Blue Action October Insider News

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

BUILDERS INITIATIVE: PIONEERING OCEAN-CLIMATE SOLUTIONS & COMMUNITY IMPACT WITH BLUE ACTION LAB

Builders Initiative is the philanthropic team of Builders Vision impact platform founded by Lukas Walton that aims to shift markets and minds for good in pursuit of its vision for a more humane and healthy planet. The organization works across philanthropy, investment, and advocacy to help address some of the most difficult environmental and sustainability challenges in three interconnected sectors: oceans, food and agriculture, and energy.?

Through its flexible and catalytic funding, Builders Vision is spurring an entirely new field dedicated to impact innovation at the ocean-climate nexus, and we couldn’t be prouder to have them as the lead funding partner for Blue Action Lab. Our global network of funding partners is essential in transforming our concepts and strategies into concrete outcomes. By contributing their expertise, patient capital, and advocacy, Builders Vision plays a vital role in funding, advising, and facilitating the solutions we implement.?

Since 2022, Builders Vision has allowed Blue Action Lab to construct proving grounds for nature-based solutions that directly benefit the residents of Grand Bahama and beyond.?In Grand Bahama, our work with Builders Vision has made significant strides, including planting 41,000 mangroves?to restore this critical ecosystem devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. With additional Builders Vision support, we have also undertaken cutting-edge research into Queen Conch Lab | FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute aquaculture at the Grand Bahama Mariculture Center, creating valuable job opportunities for the local community in the restoration of a cultural and ecological keystone species, as well as a critical ‘blue food’ for resource-dependent populations. Builders Vision has helped put Blue Action Lab and Grand Bahama on the map as leaders in ocean sustainability.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

CONSERVATION COVE BY BLUE ACTION LAB X UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS

This month, we celebrate our distinctive partnership with the University of The Bahamas . At Conservation Cove, located in Freeport, Grand Bahama, we have collaborated with the university to provide hands-on internships for marine science students. Additionally, we are offering educational and training opportunities for community members and the Cove’s Bahamian staff. This initiative enables Bahamians to access educational programs and job opportunities that empower them economically and promote the sustainable development of our local communities.

At Blue Action Lab we believe that grassroots social infrastructure is critical for the durable success of climate solutions that are brought in from around the world, as much as it is indispensable in creating conditions for solutions to arise in situ at the frontlines of climate change. ?By leveraging our collective knowledge and expertise, we strive to create a positive impact on the environment and offer educational programs and jobs in these local communities.

"The partnership will allow University of The Bahamas Marine Science students to take their classroom knowledge and lab skills and apply them to pressing real-world problems through internships and research projects, working directly with potential future employers in the blue economy. It's going to be great for the students, but also for Grand Bahama and the entire nation."? Dr. Mattias Johansson, University of The Bahamas

RESTORING OCEAN HEALTH

SCHMIDT MARINE TECHNOLOGY

This month we welcomed Mark Schrope , Director at Schmidt Marine Technology Partners . Since 2015, the Schmidt Marine team has actively pursued innovative ocean technologies globally, collaborating with projects from academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the startup community.? Schmidt Marine’s mission is to assist teams in advancing promising marine technology concepts towards economic viability and significant global impact.

Their visit to Conservation Cove focused on upcoming plans to support enterprises that restore ocean health in Grand Bahama and included a visit to our Queen Conch Mobile Lab.? The mobile lab is the centerpiece of the Grand Bahama Queen Conch Mariculture Center, our exciting project in partnership with Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute .

BLUE ACTION ACCELERATOR

ARMADA TECHNOLOGIES

Armada Technologies Technologies develops passive air lubrication for maritime. Air lubrication, a sought-after maritime technology, reduces ship friction by releasing microbubbles under the hull, forming an aerated water layer. This drag reduction cuts energy needs, enhancing cost efficiency and environmental impact. Traditional systems use compressors to create this air layer, which needs substantial space, and extra power and can increase vibration, noise, and sometimes drag. Their effectiveness varies, often dependent on conditions like sea state, with claimed fuel savings of 5-10% generally closer to 0-7%, often at specific speeds and drafts.

Unlike traditional systems, PALS uses the ship’s forward motion to create an air-water mixture for lubrication, employing small-capacity water pumps only in sub-optimal conditions. Its performance control system and machine learning optimize bubble distribution for various operating conditions, ensuring continuous and efficient operation even at slow speeds and in energy-regulated environments. This innovative approach eliminates the need for high-energy compressors, reducing power requirements and improving overall performance.

BLUE ACTION LAB

JOIN THE CONSERVATION COVE COMMUNITY

At Conservation Cove, our 'living laboratory' in Grand Bahama, we are committed to fostering a global community of changemakers dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges of sustainable blue and green economies. We continuously seek forward-thinking ideas and individuals who can generate impactful solutions.

Please share this newsletter and email us if you know of any companies or innovators interested in collaborating to create a better future.

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