Panel 2A: Marine Natural Carbon Solutions
Back to Oceans and Climate Conference
Online Event
Registration
Details
This panel will provide an overview of marine nature based solutions, with a focus on what is needed to bring these solutions to scale. Emphasis will be placed on policy solutions and action with some background on the science and hydrology behind it. Panel speakers include:
Kendall Barbery
As programs director for GreenWave, Kendall Barbery oversees the organizations' Training & Support and Innovation programs, which are aimed at bringing new technologies to regenerative ocean farmers growing seaweed and shellfish and helping farmers, hatchery technicians, and entrepreneurs build the skills and networks they need to be successful. Kendall attributes her passion for regenerative ocean farming to her childhood on the shores of Mobjack Bay, in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and nearly ten years of combined experience working on charter, commercial fishing, and research boats in Alaska and Antarctica. Prior to joining GreenWave, Kendall managed green infrastructure design and implementation projects with partners in Connecticut and New York, helping to mitigate nutrient and bacterial pollution in Long Island Sound. Kendall earned a Master of Environmental Science from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies where she studied social ecology and water resources management.
John Virdin
John Virdin is director of the Ocean and Coastal Policy Program at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. Virdin’s areas of expertise include assisting developing country governments to reform and strengthen governance of their ocean resources and particularly their fisheries, in order to help reduce poverty and enhance sustainability. His work has focused most recently on fisheries governance reform in West Africa and Western Pacific tuna fisheries, as well as governance for the blue economy in the Caribbean, among others. Prior to coming to Duke in early 2015, Virdin worked for more than 10 years at the World Bank, most recently as acting program manager for the Global Partnership for Oceans, a coalition of more than 150 governments, companies, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, and multi-lateral agencies. He advised the Bank on oceans and fisheries governance and helped it increase its lending for sustainable oceans to more than $1 billion. His work led to development of programs that provided more than $125 million in funding for improved fisheries management in six West African nations and some $40 million for fisheries and ocean conservation in a number of Pacific Island nations. Prior to his tenure at the World Bank, Virdin worked with the World Resources Institute, the World Conservation Network, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Virdin holds a doctorate in marine policy from the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Policy, a master’s degree in environmental studies from Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wake Forest University.
Michael Alderson
Winner of the 'Pride of Newcastle Alumni Achievement Award for International Impact' (2018) and selected as the Americas representative, and global finalist, in the category of 'Social Impact' of the British Council's Alumni Awards (2019), Michael is one of EcoSwell's co-founders and Directors. He has six years of experience working in the private sector in the UK, focusing on sustainable development with an emphasis on international sustainability standards, and has seven years of experience working in the non-profit sector in the global south. He’s conducted projects in the UK, Peru, the EU, West and East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Since forming EcoSwell his work has focused on implementing the United Nations SDGs with a hands-on approach in vulnerable Peruvian communities through nature conservation, renewable energy, water, and sanitation initiatives, amongst others. Michael holds a BSc (Honours) in Environmental Sciences and a MSc in Environmental Engineering from Newcastle University (UK).