Brown Girl Goes BLUE
This section of Brown Girl Surf TM is dedicated to my BLUE journey. BLUE signifies a consciousness and commitment to helping protect and
preserve our beloved ocean ecosystem. Since we're surrounded by so many smart people, it's no surprise that Brown Girl Surf TM has become involved in the following two ocean-related issues:
Your Brain On Ocean?
BLUEMiND is a project conceived of by ocean scientist Dr. Wallace ‘J.’ Nichols. BLUEMiND is an attempt to formally partner
with the neuroscience community in order to scientifically document the impact
that the ocean has on the brain.
The thinking is that if we can begin to understand what happens to our brains at the neuro level in the presence of the ocean and why it has such a calming, stress reducing effect on humans, conservationists can begin to position the ocean as a public health necessity. If this link can be made, it will have profound implications on policy, ocean activism and conservation and our overall ability to make the case for protecting the ocean.
The thinking is that if we can begin to understand what happens to our brains at the neuro level in the presence of the ocean and why it has such a calming, stress reducing effect on humans, conservationists can begin to position the ocean as a public health necessity. If this link can be made, it will have profound implications on policy, ocean activism and conservation and our overall ability to make the case for protecting the ocean.
Her Brain on Ocean?
What in the world does this have to with us? We are exploring ways to collaborate on their important
research through looking at the neural patterns and behaviors of Brown Girl
Surf’s TM trailblazing women and girls. For example, what does the brain of a
young woman in the Gaza
strip look like - one that has experienced the stress and trauma living in a
war torn region of the world yet has found the ocean as a place of risk as well
as refuge?
Currently little data exists of neural mapping of the mind’s response to the ocean. A new movement supported by Stanford University, MIT and others has emerged to delve into the impact the ocean has on the brain. The end goal of this research is to provide findings on how people cope with strain, and how the ocean (the largest element on the planet) interacts and influences the human mind (the most expansive territory in the human body). To learn more about this amazing work, check out this article that was published in the November 11th issue of Outside Magazine highlighting J's innovative new approach to ocean conservation. (J. is on the cover! So GQ!) Stay tuned for more updates on this collaborative project. |
Journey with us as we explore with our friend, J., the mysteries of the ocean's impact on the mind.
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Pluckfastic?
Surfrider seafood plastic
The second way we are going BLUE is by helping take on the
plastics issue that has been grossly polluting the ocean ecosystem. This is something I’m personally very
passionate about. In fact, I yell at my parents when they try to throw plastic away, or forget to take their cloth bags to the market.
I will also update you on cool innovations and products I come across in my journey that can serve as better alternatives to plastic. And of course, if there are Brown Girl Surfers we encounter along the way that have ideas for how to address plastic issues in their respective environments, we want to support those grassroots initiatives so they can make waves of change and ensure a healthier, sustainable planet for our future generations.
JUST FOR FUN: Think of a sentence using the cool, new anti-plastic lingo below and post it on our Facebook page. The best post will receive this special Brown Girl Surf TM grand prize!!! Runner up gets a cuddle with him!!!! Ain't activism is FUN? Here's mine:
(Sung to the tune of the Lucky Charms commercials of the 80's)
"Frosted Lucky Charms (that are sold in biodegradable corn based bags)....they're pluckfastically delicious!"
Now, you try.
I will also update you on cool innovations and products I come across in my journey that can serve as better alternatives to plastic. And of course, if there are Brown Girl Surfers we encounter along the way that have ideas for how to address plastic issues in their respective environments, we want to support those grassroots initiatives so they can make waves of change and ensure a healthier, sustainable planet for our future generations.
JUST FOR FUN: Think of a sentence using the cool, new anti-plastic lingo below and post it on our Facebook page. The best post will receive this special Brown Girl Surf TM grand prize!!! Runner up gets a cuddle with him!!!! Ain't activism is FUN? Here's mine:
(Sung to the tune of the Lucky Charms commercials of the 80's)
"Frosted Lucky Charms (that are sold in biodegradable corn based bags)....they're pluckfastically delicious!"
Now, you try.
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definition of pluckfastic
pluhk-fas-tik (adj) 1. alternative to plastic conceived or appearing as if conceived by an unrestrained imagination; fun and creative alternatives to the single use plastics that pollute our ocean and beaches (e.g. a pluckfastic bag, bottle, fork). 2. extraordinarily good quality, made to get the job done then biodegrade, in reference to an alternative to disposable, toxic plastic. 3. an exclamation in response to someone using a reusable or biodegradable alternative to disposable, single-use plastic. (Source: Wallace J. Nichols, pluckfastic.org)as in: “wow, that’s a pluckfastic refillable glass water bottle (or coffee mug or shopping bag or take-out container) with the pluckfastic.org sticker on it!” or “r u pluckfastic?” |
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