Coastal Zone Canada 2021 Conference: Geoff Green on the Evolution of the SOI Foundation

Coastal Zone Canada 2021 Conference: Geoff Green on the Evolution of the SOI Foundation

Geoff Green recently participated in the Coastal Zone Canada Conference, presenting the SOI Foundation’s 21 year evolution. He later joined Dr. Lawrence Hildebrand, Professor & Canadian Chair in Marine Environmental Protection at World Maritime University, for a live Q&A session ahead of the closing plenary, Planning our Future with Youth Leaders.

Throughout SOI’s 21 years, the topic of Planning our Future with Youth Leaders has never been more prevalent. By using the land and ocean as a classroom, Geoff explains how Students on Ice expeditions are transformational experiences that translate into knowledge and action for a healthy and sustainable future. 

During Geoff’s presentation, he shared recently launched projects and potential future programming. Each with a purpose of connecting youth to education, employment, funding and opportunities. 

“It’s up to all of us to do better. Youth have the power to make change and it’s absolutely critical that we provide opportunities for them to do just that.” 

During the live Q&A, Geoff was asked about future plans for the SOI Foundation and discussed the impacts COVID-19 has had on the organization and how it forced innovation and creativity.

“Covid gave us the chance to hit the pause button and find new opportunities.”

Geoff spoke on future plans for land and smaller ship-based expeditions in order to develop hands-on programming focused on leadership in sustainability, such as youth-led climate action in communities, or opportunities within the Sustainable Blue Economy. Geoff described new expeditions that are in development and will be launched in the fall.

During the live Q&A, Geoff touched on the importance of the new SOI programming playing a role in creating a sustainable future and the critical importance of getting youth involved, empowered and engaged in our conservation economy in order to achieve the planet’s sustainability goals. 

Visit the SOI Foundation website for more information on our current, and upcoming programs!

Students on Ice Join Roundtable Discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken

Students on Ice Join Roundtable Discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken

On Friday, Geoff Green and five youth alumni from the Students on Ice Foundation took part in a live streamed roundtable discussion with the U.S Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken as a part of his first virtual trip to Canada.

 “It is an incredible honour for Students on Ice to be part of a roundtable discussion with Secretary Blinken,” says Geoff Green. “Engaging youth in learning about and contributing to the Arctic and its Peoples is a value we both share, and I look forward to what I hope will be the first of many important discussions.”

Geoff Green and Students on Ice alumni had the unique opportunity to discuss bilateral collaboration, Arctic policy, youth engagement and climate change with Secretary Blinken.

This event was made possible thanks to the Embassy of the United States in Canada, which has supported youth and educators on SOI’s expeditions, and through educational and professional development opportunities since 2014. 

To view the roundtable visit state.gov.

Fireside with Geoff Green during SOI’s 20th Anniversary Alumni Summit

Fireside with Geoff Green during SOI’s 20th Anniversary Alumni Summit

In November 2020, Students on Ice brought together 20 years of alumni for its largest (virtual) expedition yet!

The three-day summit connected 465 participants with 50 sessions and 90 speakers focused on four key themes: Environmental Stewardship; Leadership for Healthy Communities;  Ocean Health and the Sustainable Blue Economy; and opportunities to connect, share and celebrate together.

During the three day Summit, Geoff Green gave an hour long exclusive fireside chat and answered many burning questions sent in by alumni.

Geoff spoke about his proudest moments, biggest challenges, and some of his most memorable moments over the course of his 20 years with Students on Ice. He reflected on New Years Eve rescue missions, incredible encounters with Mother Nature and the amazing connections and memories made on the Canada C3 and SOI expeditions.

You can view Geoff’s fireside chat by clicking here! 

The Keys To A Blue Economy

The Keys To A Blue Economy

Geoff Green participated on a panel to discuss “Defining the Blue Economy” presented by the Canadian Water Summit and Water Canada. 

The discussion centered around the definition of the Blue Economy being more than the UN defined “the improvement of human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” The Blue Economy is “all-encompassing of the entire water sector from coast to coast to coast.”

The panel explored why this wider definition is important for the future of the Canadian water sector, and the importance of gaining a greater appreciation of all of our Canadian watersheds.

 

Diving down the Mariana Trench

Diving down the Mariana Trench

Recently on The Bridge, Geoff Green speaks with Don Walsh, the first person (alongside Jacques Piccard) to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench and Kelly Drennan Walsh, Don’s son who followed in his father’s footsteps 60 years later. Together they discuss what it was like to explore 11km below the surface, and why understanding and protecting the ocean is more important than ever.

The Bridge is SOI’s online platform focused on engaging and inspiring youth through a diversity of content and dialogue across social and environmental themes such as the importance of Indigenous knowledge in conservation; the emerging Sustainable Blue Economy, and opportunities for youth engagement in climate policy. SOI releases new content monthly and can be found on our website at www.soibridge.com

We hope to see you onboard!