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Daniela V. Fernandez

Founder & CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance | Ocean Investor | LinkedIn Top Voice | Forbes 30 Under 30

Daniela V. Fernandez is a renowned figure in the world of sustainability, particularly focused on ocean conservation and innovation.

At just 19 years old, Daniela founded the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) while studying Economics/Government at Georgetown University, turning a college dorm room idea into a global organization.

Under Daniela's leadership since 2014, SOA has connected a diverse network of next-gen leaders, ecopreneurs, advocates, mentors, and partners worldwide, all driven towards developing solutions to safeguard the health of the ocean.

Her impactful work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur, LinkedIn's Top Voices in Social Impact, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, an Expert Advisor to the Earthshot Prize, and a Member of the Friends of Ocean Action.

In addition to her role at SOA, Daniela has also been involved with other notable organizations such as Seabird Ventures and The Earthshot Prize, and has served as an Adjunct Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

Daniela's contributions have solidified her reputation as an international thought leader and a key figure driving positive change in ocean conservation and sustainability efforts.

Highlights

Sep 9 · linkedin

BREAKING: Recent research showcases 3 alarming ocean/planetary impacts caused by climate change. 👇

🌎 Study One: Rising Sea Levels Cause Planetary Wobble

Climate change is rapidly melting our planet’s sea ice and glaciers, resulting in more water accumulating at the equator.

This ‘bulging’ is slowing the planet’s spin, moving our axis of rotation, and causing the Earth’s wobble to increase.

Translation? Humanity’s impact on the planet through anthropogenic-driven climate change is now altering our sense of time and lengthening our days.

Published in the scientific journal PNAS, researchers warn that as soon as 2029 we may need to introduce negative ‘leap seconds’ (think similar to Leap Year).

And by the end of the 21st century (if we continue business as usual), climate change could have the greatest impact on Earth’s spin.

🌡️ Study Two: Extreme, Consistent Future El Niños

The results of a study published this summer in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Journal point researchers to the possibility of El Niño weather events as another ‘tipping element’ in the global climate system.

The study warns that if humanity’s current emissions trends continue to exceed the 1.5°C warming target limit of the #ParisAgreement, more than 90% of all El Niño weather patterns will be ‘extreme’ by today’s standards—resulting in estimated tens of thousands of deaths and billions of dollars of damage in the Pacific region and beyond.

The ocean already absorbs 90% of excess heat from humanity’s emissions. The study projects that additional Pacific Ocean equatorial warming would contribute to these consistently extreme El Niños events.

🌊 Study Three: Increased Seafloor Silver Concentrations

Also published in AGU this summer, a sharp increase of silver deposits was observed in seafloor sediment cores of the coast of Vietnam, aligned with the start of the Industrial Revolution. Scientists expect this could be an ocean-wide phenomenon.

Previous research shows that “silver in its ionic form is toxic for marine creatures.” Now, scientists need to determine the additional impacts of silver on the wider ocean ecosystem.

Which of these studies makes you want to take action to limit emissions and global warming?

For me, each new ocean/climate study about the possible impacts of climate change drives my urgency to prevent the actualization of these alarming (but SOLVEABLE) predictions.

But do you find studies like these motivating or discouraging? Let me know and follow Daniela V. Fernandez for more ocean-climate discoveries, education, and solutions like this!

(Video showcasing Earth's wobble courtesy of AGU)

Sep 5 · linkedin

BLUE JOBS ALERT (Part 2!) 🌊 📣 

Interested in pivoting or growing your career within the sustainable #blueeconomy sector?

If you’re a mid or later-career professional, this is the post you’ve been waiting for!

Application deadlines range from September 1-6 👇

  1. Company/Org: PlanBlue (SOA Ecopreneur Network Spotlight!)
Title: Chief Financial Officer Education/Experience: 2+ years experience as a CFO (or similar senior financial management role), ideally in a startup environment.
Location: Bremen, Germany (Remote possible) Salary: Up to $100K
Apply here → https://bit.ly/3XhJHBe

  2. Company/Org: The Aspen Institute 
Title: Program Manager, Ocean and Climate Education/Experience: 5+ years experience in development/fundraising/corporate recruitment, CSR or other related roles
Location: Hybrid, Washington D.C. Salary: $90-$100K
Apply here by Sept 6 → bit.ly/3yRhw3Y


  3. Company/Org: Oceanic Global 
Title: Blue Director
Education/Experience: Director Level Location: Remote Salary: $75-100K
Apply here → https://bit.ly/4cT5Rje

  4. Company/Org: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Title: Program Director, Marine Conservation: Arctic Ocean Initiative Education/Experience: At least 15 years of experience in ocean conservation/philanthropy
Location: SF Bay Area
Salary: $290-375K
Apply here → https://bit.ly/4cT5Rje

And these roles are just the tip of the careers iceberg.

Other ocean organizations and companies actively hiring include Agriloops, rePurpose Global, CalWave Inc., NOAA Fisheries, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceana, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and many more.

I’m seeing lots of job seekers on this platform who are #opentowork. Let’s help find them roles in the ocean sector!

Please share for visibility and follow Daniela V. Fernandez for more blue career advice and opportunities 🌎

Daniela V. Fernandez
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Location

San Francisco, California, United States