Charting “Hope Spots” critical to the health of our planet’s oceans
Map: Jennifer Johnston
March 4, 2021
At 85, Sylvia Earle could be forgiven for wanting to put her feet up. Instead, the superstar American ocean scientist is helping citizens around the world save the parts of the ocean they love the most.
“Sylvia’s wish is to see people stepping up in their area because that’s what it takes,” says Shannon Rake, manager of the Hope Spots program, part of Earle’s Mission Blue organization. “One person can’t do everything, but everyone can do one thing.”
So far, 130 sites have been designated as Hope Spots, including four in Canadian waters (see call-outs on map below). Local citizens nominate precious at-risk locations. If they qualify, Earle and her team help publicize each site’s biological and cultural importance, giving local communities the boost they need to better push governments to keep them safe. Earle, who still puts on her flippers and diving tank whenever possible, goes to as many of them as she can for an intimate undersea visit.