What it is
EarthEcho International runs the Blue Carbon Ambassadors program targeting BIPOC youth ages 17-20 from coastal communities. Participants receive hands-on training in blue carbon ecosystem science, environmental monitoring, and community advocacy. The program includes field work in mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds, mentorship from marine scientists, and support for participants to develop local conservation projects in their home communities.
Why we picked this
Climate solutions need diverse leadership, and coastal communities most affected by ecosystem loss are underrepresented in marine science. This program directly addresses that gap by investing in young people from the communities where blue carbon protection matters most. Graduates return home with scientific skills, professional networks, and funded project proposals. Several alumni have gone on to lead conservation initiatives, pursue marine science degrees, and influence local policy.
Key takeaways
- The program specifically recruits from coastal communities of color, who disproportionately bear the impacts of coastal ecosystem loss and climate-related flooding.
- Participants conduct real scientific research: water quality monitoring, carbon stock measurements, and biodiversity surveys that contribute to published datasets.
- Alumni have launched local conservation projects in communities from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Islands, creating a multiplier effect from each cohort.