Category: World Team Now (Page 2 of 10)

Lake Tekapo New Zeeland Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0

World Water Day 2022

March 22, 2022 / Suzanne Maxx / 0 Comments

Lake Tekapo New Zeeland Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0

Water, being essential for life, ebbs and flows with a tide as does this World Water day that initiates the season of renewal with rituals as diverse as all the ways spirituality and religion are practiced in different parts of the world.

Regardless of belief, water is the most fundamental practical essences of life here on earth.

Let’s hear more about Water from WTN board member Walter Andrews, who has a wealth of experience, knowledge, and expertise on water from being a Charter Member of the EPA since founding and serving over 50 years.

Thanks for listening.

World Water Day was adopted at the United Nations Conference in Rio de Janeiro UNCED called the Earth Summit in 1992. The Earth Summit and Global Forum were life-changing experiences to participate in during the beginning years of the World Team journey, before founding our non-profit World Team Now. For many of us committed to the environmental social movement greater teamwork for the earth of the next generation began then.

1993 began World Water Day’s annual water day themes. Here too was the beginning of the journey to the UN’s ratification of the Sustainable Development Goals – with water now in SDG’s #6 Clean Water and Sanitation. Every year, there is a new theme for World Water Day whose tide seems to go from the 20th-23rd of March every year.

Let’s all do our best for the water and earth every day. For me growing up every day was actually was World Water Day when my mother came home from work at EPA where she was an environmental scientist, let’s all be citizen scientists for our earth Mother, and protect our common lifeblood, Water.

Please let us know If you are interested in the Water Themes World Team Now is exploring: drinking water purification, distribution, water sanitation, desalination of saltwater to freshwater, water from the hydrogen fuel cell, water for energy, as in tidal, and wave energy, water for transportation, and water for cleansing, birthing, exercising, healing and rituals.

Are there any other water themes you are interested for us to explore?

If you are interested in helping with any of our water programs, especially the ocean curricula, please let us know.

Please feel free to add ideas, share, or join us reach out to us at contact-us@worldteamnow.org or me, Suzanne Maxx

#Water #groundwater #WorldWaterDay; #SaveWater; #waterday; #groundwater; #WaterIsLife; #newjersey #Aquifers #RainwaterHarvesting; #USVI; #VirginIslands #WorldWaterDay2022 #sdg6 #worldteamnow #WaterDayEveryDay

An Ocean of Thanks, Giving to Islands

November 25, 2021 / Suzanne Maxx / 0 Comments

Thank you! Yes, YOU! An ocean of thanks with your kind thoughts, willingness to listen and share over the years with our World Team project, especially with our 501 c3 nonprofit World Team Now. We appreciate all who volunteer as we embark on the ocean, atmosphere nexus and giving to islands. The seeds planted the past decades have landed in fertile ground, are watered, and we’ve started to see the change embraced with growth.

Photo shot in Central Park, an example of a Heat Island, temperatures are warmer and the leaves are on trees. in late November now.

I am not only referring only to Climate Change, but the severity of the situation with social and environmental tension climaxing. May these crises ultimately build greater health for our world. There is evidence that humanity is finally considering nature to be a greater priority, and it is about time.

At this “giving” time we are in a flood— yes of Noah’s time’s proportion— of not only information and data, but also incredible organizations all vying for resources. We are encouraging the prioritization of your own well- being first and to consider where you can make a small change to live more intimately with nature, and plant more seeds of change.

We at World Team Now prioritized small islands in the Global South, as they seemed to have the “least,” in terms of development and yet are “most’ vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. We have realized that when it comes to nature we have much to learn from natural based solutions, to live intimately with the ocean, and in better balance collectively. Now with the ocean, we all can support resiliency as a priority and together share the resources needed to meet the crises with opportunities.

The ocean reaches us all, and we found ourselves starting at home first these past two years. If you have resources to give, know they will go to one of our campaigns: our ocean experiential educational curricula, barrier islands, nature-based and renewable systems solutions, our alternative energy and transportation projects, planting seeds, net zero buildings, heat islands programs and biodiversity, beginning with the ocean, and with what floats ( like the mangrove seed). The cheerleader in us says, “give us a T. E.A.M.” T.ime, E.nergy, A.ction or Money, it takes TEAMwork for the clichéd dream to work. We appreciate it if you are able to participate.

Islands also include the “Heat island” phenomena that we are experiencing in large cities, like in New York City. As temperatures rise the quality of life, on the island of Manhattan related to nature; water, air and food, and the amount of pollution and waste to combat, is considerable. We are a long way from sustainable development, the SDGs and reaching global goals. ‘Islanding” can also be caused by power outages, fires, mudslides, floods like we experienced in California and this includes barrier islands too, where we have also been based. We feel obligated to give back especially knowing the history and the legacy of how land, and many forms of “ownership” has played out through “civil society” in his-story, and we all realize it is time for a new story, our story– each story, us all together.

Purple Phalaenopsis, by Suzanne Maxx

We are still gathering the larger scale resources to use media to tell-a-vision, and we are so thankful to experience the myriad of options to connect us virtually. The format of media with advertising, that is used in social media, is what we have to work with now. We are eager for the change and using social media at the request of others. For this campaign we chose a modest amount, in proportion to building World Team to scale. We will be reaching out here more going forward.

More people are prioritizing these collective challenges, just take a look at the youth moving into action, and indigenous people.

Embracing this conscious change for systems change moves us closer to both the personal and collective transformation needed for the future we want. Yet it will take the whole world to be together as a team to play to transform our selves, and the world.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed, fulfilling, and peaceful Thanksgiving.

World Ocean Day Eternally ©

June 7, 2021 / Suzanne Maxx / 3 Comments

“World Ocean Day” could be every day-but it is today now, June 8th, 2021. With the leadership from the youth, along with each one of us altogether, we might begin to attribute every breath in gratitude for the ocean’s ability to clean the air and all it does and provides for as a home, beyond time. To Ocean Day, eternally.

While many are called to explore the ultimate mystery of the ocean, becoming intimate with the ocean can be a gift like love. A love that lives within us all, nurtured through growing greater respect by being in the ocean and learning through both science and experiential education from its constant change.

This year begins the “Ocean Decade” with a priority collectively to transform humans’ relationship with the ocean, globally by the year 2030 (ideally sooner) through the United Nations Global Goals or (SDGs). World Team Now teamed up with others and set ambitious global goals in 2017 joining through the UN Ocean Conference Sustainable Development Goal #14 in our voluntary commitment with the SOS-IS partnership to demonstrate solutions of systems on islands. Although we have been delayed we continue to forge forward and completed a campaign with Biodiversity; Sea Turtles and Cetacean Experiential Research. From planting Mangrove seeds to seeing what the ocean surprises us with on this island, we grow our capacity to be lifelong learners in action.

We were able to join in communication with some of the global communities we’ve been part of around the world in these past decades journeying for the World Team project, virtually from Samoa, Fiji, Singapore, Monaco, Spain, France, Africa, and Japan. Seeing the Starlink Satellites launch regularly inspired the gifts of innovative technology, which has brought us collectively opportunities to learn and grow from our connectivity.

This past year living on an island locally, we were fortunate to remain connected with our coastal communities around the USA; in Hawaii, off California, Massachusetts, and Florida. We discovered more natural-based solutions which led to the development of World Team Now’s Ocean Curriculum. Floating in the ocean, with wild dolphins who chose to join almost daily, inspired us through a year with a myriad of collective crises in 2020.

Being with the ocean and going out to float afforded an opportunity to learn directly from the ocean itself. With the remarkable nexus of the ocean-atmosphere and all species, we heard and witnessed the challenges and begun to discover more opportunities where we might apply solutions. We are looking forward to the chance to share more through this decade together.

Responsibility to the ocean to clean-up and transform ocean plastics, to become more resilient on developing alternative systems on islands –that live with the ocean is just the beginning. From cleaning up the shipping industry, supporting artisanal fishing, cutting farm fishing subsidies, and tackling global agreements with biodiversity and law of the sea- all are needed. There is a myriad of challenges to discover more solutions and for collective action. Here are some of the many events happening now; From WTN’s Pioneer for the Planet Award recipient, Fabien Cousteau, watch the OLC’s channel, or the Explorer’s Club, or the United Nations’ High-Level Debate on the Ocean, read about Boris Herrmann’s Malizia Mangrove Park project with 350.000 mangroves planted and World Ocean Day.

With this year’s theme for World Oceans Day, “The Ocean: Lives and Livelihood,” we are focused on our bi-coastal communities and what we can do for future generations to empower all to gain greater respect for the ocean. It is the youths’ future we have borrowed from, and it is their lives, livelihood, and future that is innocently at stake, as they have inherited the state of the planet. Here are some ocean youth lovers in WTN’s home state, who are from Santa Barbara California. Let’s hear it in their words after their Float.

June 7th, 2021 Isabel Johanson ©

June 8th, World Ocean Day, is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the critical role our oceans play in the grand scheme of global health. The sea occupies over 70% of our planet and equips every organism with the tools they need for survival. World Ocean Day is a symbol of civilization’s responsibility to unite and protect not only the ocean, but ourselves. We are only as healthy as our world’s seas. We must remind ourselves of the principles this global holiday represents year-long, to gain the momentum we need to accomplish our goals. Humanity has the responsibility to rise to the occasion in order to develop and implement equitable and sustainable solutions in a timely manner.

I was raised in Santa Barbara, CA and Kauai, HI. My proximity to the ocean ingrained in me the need to appreciate and give back to our Mother Earth. I have witnessed the precariousness of nature. Through fire, flood, ground trembling beneath my feet, and nature in all her furry crying out for help, I realized the true urgency of the climate crisis. My childhood heart-centered empathy toward nature turned into planetary activism.

World Team Now’s commitment to global and personal transformation and unity encourages everyone to take meaningful action. Since Environmental Studies is such a multifaceted topic, it is essential to apply the concepts to as many dimensions of life as possible. In the words of Suzanne Maxx, Founder and President/Chair of Word Team Now, “We play to transform our world.” Even simple steps, like floating at sea, fuels a connectivity between one’s self and nature, prompting a long-term commitment to change. The accumulation of small actions practiced by an array of citizens has the power to heal our world.

In the spirit of World Ocean Day, a group of loved ones, Atticus Shorr, Ally Drevo, Nicolas Johanson, Charlie Vasquez, Niko Klopp, and myself, Isabel Johanson, decided to head to Hope Ranch Beach and soak in the Pacific Ocean’s primal energy. As we lay floating on our backs, with our hands intertwined, a sense of harmony became present. Each of us felt connected by our dedication to the water. It was as if we entered a meditative state of heightened consciousness. In reflection, I was able to correlate this to World Team Now’s goal of creating a consciousness that allows the World’s inhabitants to work towards a greater good. A feeling of refuge and safety overcame the six of us while at sea. It is only fair that we reciprocate these emotions and celebrate the ocean’s divinity. In honor of June 8th, I have asked each participant to write a short analysis of what the ocean and our floating experience meant to them.

Hope Ranch Beach, CA June 2021
Photo by Ally Drevo

“It’s nearly impossible to understand how much the ocean has impacted our world. I find the vastness of the ocean to be spiritual and bewildering. It can be harsh and miraculous at the same time, similar to humans. Knowing this makes me believe we are capable of behavioral change in order to remedy our missteps. Yesterday my friends and I floated in the ocean for hours. Not only was it a healing experience to float with the tides, it was heightening and completely lifted my spirits.” Atticus Shorr, 24

“Dedication to the ocean is a beautiful and universal effort which I’m elated to be a part of. Throughout the years, I’ve worked with Heal the Ocean and lobbied our city council for plastic ban efforts in the hope of restoring and preserving a beautiful and complex home of sea life and resources. Yesterday’s project with World Team Now was one moment out of many where we got to celebrate the ocean in our idyllic seaside hometown. I have endless gratitude and respect for marine life preservation and hope to experience more collaborative visions.” Ally Drevo, 22

“All life begins in the sea, so as a human being I feel intrinsically connected to the ocean. After years of aquatic sports, surf instruction, and being an avid beach-goer, the beauty of the sea and sand will forever hold a special place in my heart. However it’s truly heartbreaking to see the growing amount of waste, plastic, and unnatural debris covering our world’s beaches and diluting our oceans. It seems to me that we have become predators to one of our most precious ecosystems. That being said, it brings me hope and pride to be part of the movement to remedy the issues we have brought upon ourselves.” Nicolas Johanson, 20

“My first connection to the ocean was when I moved from Indiana to Santa Barbara. Coming from a land-locked state it was a powerful change. Whenever I feel stressed, the beach is the first place I think of to calm my nerves. It’s ironic to think the place I go to relieve anxiety is in high stress from the harmful and selfish actions of humankind. I will always do my part and attempt to inspire others to keep our local beaches clean and to help out with the ever-growing environmental problems we are facing.” Charlie Vasquez, 21

“Ever since I was young, I have loved the ocean. Not only does it provide endless opportunities for adventure, fun, and relaxation, it is also a livelihood for so many. My brother is a fisherman and that has taught me to not take more than the ocean can replenish. I have also learned of society’s inescapable dependence on the ocean’s fragile ecosystem. I recognize World Ocean Day as a Day to be thankful for everything the ocean has to offer and reflect on how we can help preserve and heal our ocean.” Niko Klopp, 17

Retreat to Spring Forward

March 24, 2021 / Suzanne Maxx / 0 Comments

by Suzanne Maxx ©

December 15th, 2019 I went on a Writer’s Retreat, after years of the World Team journey it was time to get still and go within, and better listen before I could speak. Shortly thereafter the world would do more than, “retreat” but lockdown. Now the World Team® project’s goal is beginning to be achieved, we are just beginning to use media to tell-a-vision and bring people together virtually for social and environmental transformation. We still have a long way to go with focused action but thank you in advance for your patience. I may not be responsive in the coming months, to complete what was set out to do pre-COVID19 with the writing for the World Team vision.

While spring has sprung in the northern hemisphere, it’s not just a “March” it is becoming a sprint, springing into hyper-warp speed not only for “recovery,” but also for transformation.

Coming through an OCEAN of awareness, with collective voice rising for justice, through the tide of the; #ClimateCrises, #COVID19Pandemic, #EconomicCrisis, #BlackLivesMatter, #Elections, #SacredPeopleSacredEarth, #InternationalWomensDay. Coming into this week with #FridaysfortheFuture, #Equinox,#WorldWaterDay #InternationalHappinessDay, #InternationalForestsDay,#BioDiversity&Forrest, and now we are in the midst of #MonacoOceanWeek… building to more news on “EarthDay! Blinded by the transformation tide, perhaps past the #DecadeoftheOcean or the SDGs, reaching for the UN’s #GlobalGoals on “time” #30×30 by year #2030.

We, humans, are meaning-making machines, trying to fix concepts that could go from being one “day,” to every day –week or month to do more than “build back,” but to renew. And the focused energy of our collective intent in time is key.

Atlantic Ocean USA

For the love of the Ocean and all above let’s make these more than a day, week, month, let’s make it our priority. A priority that breathes through, and into the fabric of society beyond time, and into our world’s systems. Perhaps after this Health crisis, and the myriad of crises we together have realized more about well-being, freedom, and nature, to be better motivated for both personal and collective action…

The love for nature grows. I have experienced reciprocity with the interactions I’ve had with some wild friends. These wild friends have kept me inspired to learn more about biodiversity, their species, from their repeated visits together, while here on this island, writing.

*The Great Blue Heron I named, “Beauty”*

If you would like to travel virtually to and for the ocean now, join in for Monaco’s Ocean week; https://fondationsanctadevota.mc/projets/monaco-projet-scolaire/ We appreciate the work that Team World Corps/World Team Now’s first Honorary President, HRH Prince Albert II is doing and has done with The Prince Albert II Foundation and the team of entities that are focused on the future of the Ocean. Another special shout out to the proposed game-changing global approach to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), from the Varda Group, who have worked tirelessly on the “Because the Ocean,” and “The Future We Want” campaigns. They have supported World Team Now’s efforts at Rio+20 and proven over time that team works. Their consulting knowledge of Fisheries, Law of the Sea, and dedication to the ocean proves to be significant. Altogether, with each one of us, it can happen beyond one vision.

Thanks for holding the vision that we together can be like a true #WorldTeamNow, as we prepare.

Oceans’ Biodiversity: Dolphins to Sea Turtles

September 30, 2020 / Suzanne Maxx / 1 Comment

By Suzanne Maxx ©

Living on a developed barrier island, Ponce Inlet Florida, USA, and floating in the ocean daily has built an even more intimate relationship with nature. What a contrast from the island of Manhattan, New York City to this island, and thinking back on the years being on the Small Island States, such as Fiji and Samoa. The opportunity to learn from biodiversity and interact with nature is immeasurable and teaches so much about how each species is organically wired to survive.

When I moved into a home on the beach during recovery to regain my health, floating with the dolphins led me to an ocean curriculum. Then two mama sea turtles chose to make their nests on the shore of the beach where I live. We have learned so much about being able to witness the life cycles of sea turtles during this time and these precious endangered species we are called to team-up with others here to help protect.

The mother lays her eggs onshore and goes back to the sea. Months later, the sea turtle hatchlings’ journey to the ocean for the first time by themselves. Watch this little leader:

The learning that is unfolding is immeasurable and inspires the sharing of the love for biodiversity with new experiences in the wild with birds, fish, crabs, whales, dolphins, and sea turtles grows from being in the ocean.

Being immersed in the ocean and island, life breath by breath strengthens that interconnection to all species. But the key is how to not merely survive, but to thrive, with interdependency on one another beyond siloed life systems, using both science, consciousness, and life’s ultimate mystery to discover how to better protect nature. Urgent action on both local and global levels to approach this change is needed, but it begins with becoming aware of the challenges and opportunities.

When we are immersed in nature, each one of us can come into a more balanced relationship, not just to the ocean, flora, and fauna, but one another. This island has a team that supports marine life, with wild species education, rehabilitation, all in the effort to support, conserve and preserve sea turtles, and more!

Actions on Biodiversity World Team Now is taking include:

From a global view, biodiversity worldwide is rapidly decreasing. Urgent action is needed as witnessed in the United Nations’ just published 5th edition its Global Diversity Outlook.

The Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 (GBO-5)

The Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 (GBO-5), published by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), offers an authoritative overview of the state of nature. It is a final report card on progress against the 20 global biodiversity targets agreed in 2010 with a 2020 deadline, and offers lessons learned and best practices for getting on track.

The report calls for a shift away from “business as usual” across a range of human activities. It outlines eight transitions that recognize the value of biodiversity, the need to restore the ecosystems on which all human activity de-pends, and the urgency of reducing the negative impacts of such activity.

There was to be a UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon Portugal in 2020 but that is moved to 2021, date TBD.

United Nations Ocean Conference

One of the Sustainable Development Goals, #14 Life Under Water, mandates the conservation of our worldwide oceans.

Leading to COP26 in Glasgow Scottland 1-12 November 2021.

HOME - UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) at the SEC – Glasgow 2020

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference will take place in November 2021, at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.

Observing nature, and organically discovering natural-based solutions from the ocean, is leading to new pathways forward for our common future.

World Water Day 2022

An Ocean of Thanks, Giving to Islands

World Ocean Day Eternally ©

Retreat to Spring Forward

Oceans’ Biodiversity: Dolphins to Sea Turtles

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