The Next Generation is holding us to account - are we listening?
I was sailing on my yacht a couple of weeks ago, on the Hauraki Gulf, and I would be forgiven for thinking as I looked at the beautiful blue ocean and lush green islands that we lived in the world's most healthy and thriving ocean - paradise. Sadly, I am wrong. A few minutes underwater, you realise our ocean, our gulf, is not well. For a country with the 4th largest ocean space on the planet, we only have .4% of our ocean space protected. (www.liveocean.com)
I am honoured to work with the next generation of leaders through the Spirit of Adventure Trust. Young people are our future; we must do everything possible to be their number one ally. Our role in their lives is to help them navigate the waters, especially post-COVID, build their confidence, resilience, and hope and help them look up and forward. We must also care about what they care about, engage and listen. We have talked about diversity, mental health, and culture. More often than not, climate change and our environmental impact are at the top of their list. At the beginning of the year, after the fallout of the floods and cyclone Gabrielle, young people took to the streets to hammer home their concerns about climate change. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/485231/climate-strikes-thousands-march-around-new-zealand-to-demand-action-from-government
The Spirit of New Zealand, our iconic square-rigged ship, has transformed the lives of over 82,000 young Kiwis over 50 years. You may be surprised to hear us say our core is not sailing; it is Youth Development—the Spirit being a square-rigged vessel means every aspect of setting sail means young people have to get involved physically and coordinate as a team. In everything we do, we look for the teachable moment – the “aha” moment, and we are always conscious that we need to lead by example when it comes to our response to the environment.
?Here are some thoughts on what we do that may encourage you!
Step up and get the small things right.
I have experienced moments when under sail – and we have 14 sails – we will turn the ship around to pick up plastic in the sea. What a lesson in stepping up, all hands to their sail stations, 40 young people pulling ropes and setting a new direction so we can retrieve the offending plastic. Turning a tall ship around to do the right thing means the adventure becomes about doing good, stepping up our effort, being uncomfortable, and applying sweat and grit. But the sense of achievement and satisfaction of getting it done is incredible.
Stepping up means a step change.
While the Hauraki Gulf is beautiful from the surface, the ecosystem is in crisis below the waterline. Kelp is vital for ocean ecosystems to flourish, creating habitats for marine life and is hugely efficient at carbon fixation. However, many coastlines, once home to vast kelp forests, now lie bare, thriving reef ecosystems replaced by kina (sea urchin) barrens. Sometimes, it means going over and above to make a point.
A great example is what we put into the harbour. Any boat with a holding tank or toilet needs to consider the waste they’re putting out. Our original sewage treatment plant complied as we treated sewage with chlorine and stayed outside 500 metres from land (mean high water spring) in water more than 5 metres deep.?
In September, we installed a “best in class” sewage treatment plant, which means our discharge in shallow waters is clean water. Our bulk discharge is every 30 days (initially every day), and we can do this deep at sea where it essentially becomes food. This has been a high cost to the trust ($400k), but we desire to do the right thing and lead by example. Here is the challenge - if a charity can do the right thing, then so can you…Every boat should consider what they put into the water and take responsibility. (I want to thank Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust and Pub Charity for backing our massive goal to do better.)
Young people see us as authentic when we make the call and follow up with action.?
Stepping up your knowledge – knowledge is power.
?In the Hauraki Gulf, we know the loss of large snapper and crayfish through over-fishing means kina are now grazing down the kelp beds. Go underwater, and you will see how prolific it is. Crayfish and Snapper would typically keep this outbreak in check. We see a shining local example when you compare this to flourishing kelp beds within the Goat Island marine reserve.
?We have been working with the Auckland University Marine Science Division, on an education programme that enables young people our our voyages to see and experience what is happening underwater. This is a massive commitment from the Trust to fast-track our learning modules and produce content with teachable moments and practical solutions for young people to act on. With a feeding basket, GoPro 360 and a bit of adventure, young people can now see the fish species, experience the lack of kelp and the over-infiltration of kina. We have also obtained snorkelling gear so as a comparative model, when we are at Goat Island, they can experience the complete opposite – a flourishing environment.?
?We’re also actively engaged in a daily project to measure water temperature in partnership with the Moana Project. Young people deploy the temperature sensor which, via satellite, sends data. We then discuss it as a cohort. This initiative will contribute valuable data to a broader understanding of our marine ecosystem.
?Getting your steps in – clean your beach
The ship sails approximately three hundred days a year. Every 10-day or 5-day voyage, we do a beach clean as part of the programme, so every year, 1,200 young people clean 30 beaches. You will be amazed at what you collect if you slow down, look down and collect as you get your steps in on your beach walk. If we all did our bit, it would make a huge difference, and it would require little effort. You will also be surprised by what you find as most things that fall out of our bins kerb side will end up in the harbour. Being conscious of the impact of not simply stopping and picking it up will make a difference.
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Step into the future positive.
As a business or charity, or individual, what can you do to change the way you think or go about your everyday activities? I love it when we see businesses limiting air travel, using Zoom, looking at their fleet of cars, and moving towards EV or hybrid technology. We are fortunate in that Hyundai NZ loves what we do, supports it, puts 20 young people on board every year as part of their Pinnacle Programme, and as a 100% New Zealand-owned company, they are passionate about investing in the next generation!?
So we, as a trust, can lead by example; they have committed to helping us be as green as possible. TransNet NZ Limited has also stepped in and provided EV charging at the wharf.
?What’s next? A hydrogen-powered Spirit of New Zealand, Solar sails – the challenge goes on, and that is part of the adventure.
?Baby steps are okay by me.
The point is that you can talk about change and teach it, BUT until you step up, challenge yourself, and step towards effecting change, nothing happens. Don’t get stuck with analysis paralysis! Do one thing! The next generation is watching us, and they have, rightly so, massive expectations of us to do the right thing.
?So start small, take a baby step – when you go for your walk tonight, look down, be aware, and if you see plastic or rubbish, pick it up and then enjoy the warm fuzzies it will give you.
Spirit of Adventure Trust
1 年Love the 'aha' moments??