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When no one is looking, who cares about climate change?

As Arthur C. Clarke pointed out, “How inappropriate to call this planet ‘Earth,’ when it is clearly ‘Ocean.’” The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fascinating place, sure. It’s also a leader in stirring people to take better care of the earth.

For example, the Aquarium’s ocean plastic pollution education helped California become the first state in the U.S. to ban single-use carryout bags, through the passage of Proposition 67 in November 2016.

The Aquarium knows that transportation is a major contributor to climate change.

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Taking action on climate change.

See MBA’s Climate Action for the Ocean.

To reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants, the Aquarium urges its staff and volunteers to bike, walk, use transit, or carpool. See how in “We’re taking action on climate change.”

But what about the bigwigs at the Aquarium? Bet they drive to work every day, eh?
What they do when no one is watching is what really tells the level of commitment that the Aquarium leadership has about taking action on climate change.

And sure enough, on a chilly, dark evening, on a fairly isolated road, I came upon a guy whose high-visiblity vest and bright rear light were the only reasons I noticed him. And who was that guy, pictured above?

Out biking his talk was Monterey Bay Aquarium Communications Director Ken Peterson, an Aquarium staffer since 1989.

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Update: See the June 1, 2017 statement by Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, on the decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on global climate change: http://futureoftheocean.wordpress.com/2017/06/01/on-climate-we-stand-with-the-state-of-california-and-the-global-community/

In 1984 I became a charter member of the Aquarium, and I deeply appreciate the Aquarium’s education and advocacy regarding climate change and other earth care issues.

Scroll below the photos for related tips.

Couple at Aquarium by Mari - 454

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Related info on Bicycling Monterey

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This post was published on 29 November 2016. One or more changes last made to this post on 17 December 2021.

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