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Aussie university 'creates' new award for Spanish marine environmentalist's outstanding work
15/10/2019
A SPANISH marine environmentalist has received an award from the University of New South Wales, Australia, for her 'creative and persuasive leadership' in raising awareness among the general public about the effects of climate change on sea life.
For the first time ever, UNSW in Sydney has presented a prize under the heading of 'Emerging Thought Leader' for Dr Adriana Vergés in recognition of her 'ability to turn ideas into action', which she demonstrated through 'Operation Crayweed', a project aimed at restoring this ecologically-valuable species of seaweed off the coasts of the Opera House city.
Here, Adriana (on the left in the photograph) got local communities involved, and even celebrities such as film and TV producers, artists and academics, raising funds worldwide and making ordinary citizens think about the impact of climate change.
“I'm very grateful for this award for the work I, and many of my colleagues, have spent years carrying out,” says Adriana, who studied her PhD in Environmental Science at Barcelona University and works as professor at the UNSW.
“This work blends art and science in restoring marine ecosystems, which helps us better understand the effects of climate change on our seas.”
Adriana used highly-unconventional scientific experimental measures during the project, including crowdfunding to plant trees that thrive in a sea environment at Christmas, and using a lobster as a mascot – ideas she dreamt up to attract attention because 'seaweed just isn't sexy enough'.
“If I'd been working with dolphins or whales, which are fairly iconic animals, it would have been easier,” Adriana admits.
“But my work is on conservation of underwater marine woodlands, meadows and seaweed, and these ecosystems lack the charisma of, say, coral reefs.
“For this reason, I had to try to build bridges between the rigorous science we were involved in, and issues that interest the general public.
“As an example, the seaweed we were restoring is a crucial habitat for certain types of fish, such as lobsters.”
On her Twitter page, Dr Adriana Vergés wrote: “Extremely honoured and grateful to be receiving UNSW's Emerging Thought Leader prize, and huge congratulations to all the other finalists – you can find out more about their inspiring work here,” and posted a link to the university's 'Grand Challenges' site.
“I hope to use this award as a platform to raise more awareness about the importance of our local marine ecosystems.”
Adriana's role in the Grand Challenges macro-project includes Operation Posidonia, aimed at restoring the marine plant Posidonia Oceanica, commonly known as Mediterranean Tapeweed or Neptune Grass.
This aquatic shrub forms meadows on the sea bed in the western Mediterranean and is a crucial source of shelter, food and oxygen for marina fauna.
It is often seen washed up on beaches in eastern Spain, but is not 'dirty' or 'rubbish' – it is, in fact, a sign of how healthy the water and its life are, and some local authorities, such as those on the Balearic island of Formentera, have opted not to clear it up.
Adriana has managed to bring scientists and film directors and producers together to create on-screen fiction productions focusing on climate change.
“It sometimes seems as though the most traditional media, when attempting to communicate about science with documentaries or newspaper and magazine articles, are preaching to the converted,” Adriana observes.
“So we started to explore fiction in order to reach a different audience.
“The project asked the question, 'can you imagine what the world will be like in 20 years' time, when temperatures have risen and we're all affected?', in order for scientists and actors to create feature films based upon that scenario and broadcast them to the public.”
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A SPANISH marine environmentalist has received an award from the University of New South Wales, Australia, for her 'creative and persuasive leadership' in raising awareness among the general public about the effects of climate change on sea life.
For the first time ever, UNSW in Sydney has presented a prize under the heading of 'Emerging Thought Leader' for Dr Adriana Vergés in recognition of her 'ability to turn ideas into action', which she demonstrated through 'Operation Crayweed', a project aimed at restoring this ecologically-valuable species of seaweed off the coasts of the Opera House city.
Here, Adriana (on the left in the photograph) got local communities involved, and even celebrities such as film and TV producers, artists and academics, raising funds worldwide and making ordinary citizens think about the impact of climate change.
“I'm very grateful for this award for the work I, and many of my colleagues, have spent years carrying out,” says Adriana, who studied her PhD in Environmental Science at Barcelona University and works as professor at the UNSW.
“This work blends art and science in restoring marine ecosystems, which helps us better understand the effects of climate change on our seas.”
Adriana used highly-unconventional scientific experimental measures during the project, including crowdfunding to plant trees that thrive in a sea environment at Christmas, and using a lobster as a mascot – ideas she dreamt up to attract attention because 'seaweed just isn't sexy enough'.
“If I'd been working with dolphins or whales, which are fairly iconic animals, it would have been easier,” Adriana admits.
“But my work is on conservation of underwater marine woodlands, meadows and seaweed, and these ecosystems lack the charisma of, say, coral reefs.
“For this reason, I had to try to build bridges between the rigorous science we were involved in, and issues that interest the general public.
“As an example, the seaweed we were restoring is a crucial habitat for certain types of fish, such as lobsters.”
On her Twitter page, Dr Adriana Vergés wrote: “Extremely honoured and grateful to be receiving UNSW's Emerging Thought Leader prize, and huge congratulations to all the other finalists – you can find out more about their inspiring work here,” and posted a link to the university's 'Grand Challenges' site.
“I hope to use this award as a platform to raise more awareness about the importance of our local marine ecosystems.”
Adriana's role in the Grand Challenges macro-project includes Operation Posidonia, aimed at restoring the marine plant Posidonia Oceanica, commonly known as Mediterranean Tapeweed or Neptune Grass.
This aquatic shrub forms meadows on the sea bed in the western Mediterranean and is a crucial source of shelter, food and oxygen for marina fauna.
It is often seen washed up on beaches in eastern Spain, but is not 'dirty' or 'rubbish' – it is, in fact, a sign of how healthy the water and its life are, and some local authorities, such as those on the Balearic island of Formentera, have opted not to clear it up.
Adriana has managed to bring scientists and film directors and producers together to create on-screen fiction productions focusing on climate change.
“It sometimes seems as though the most traditional media, when attempting to communicate about science with documentaries or newspaper and magazine articles, are preaching to the converted,” Adriana observes.
“So we started to explore fiction in order to reach a different audience.
“The project asked the question, 'can you imagine what the world will be like in 20 years' time, when temperatures have risen and we're all affected?', in order for scientists and actors to create feature films based upon that scenario and broadcast them to the public.”
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