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Welcome back to the podcast where we celebrate innovation for our happy planet.

Today we are meeting with Jeff Parmelee, Teaching Professor at the School of Biological Sciences at University of New England's College of Arts and Sciences.

Jeff is an evolutionary biologist and ecologist interested in amphibians and reptiles. He teaches anatomy, physiology, and herpetology (the branch of zoology concerning reptiles and amphibians), as well as my favorite, the natural history of the Galapagos. Jeff also serves on the board of Maine Big Night, which he's here to speak about today.

https://www.une.edu/people/jeffrey-parmelee

https://mainebignight.org/

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I'd like to thank our sponsors:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.

Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!

Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!

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Welcome to the podcast where we celebrate innovation for a happy planet. I am your host, Abigail Carroll.

What is going on with American farmed seaweed? That is the question we are asking this week.

We’ve heard a lot about it. For some time, everyone in the blue economy was touting its health benefits and umami flavour. Specialty seaweed food startups were getting on grocery store shelves nation-wide - and that is no small feat. It certainly is a good crop to farm as well. It's a winter crop that matures in a matter of month with no fresh water and light maintenance. (At least compared to oysters!) .

But then these seaweed food companies started to shutter. If you remember Courtney Boyd Rey was on the podcast -- she told us the sad story about AKUA’s struggles. And last fall we heard from a turnaround specialist trying revive Maine’s celebrated Atlantic Sea Farms. Most recently they succumbed, as did another known seaweed food startup.

So what happened and is there still a market for the seaweed we’re now cultivating along our coast?

Sam Garwin from GREENWAVE is here to say she’s still an optimist. She has a hunch about what went wrong and is bullish about where the market can get it right.

Support the show

Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!

I'd like to thank our sponsors:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.

Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!

Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!

Promotional and program partners include ...

Send us Fan Mail

 In the interest of Global Exchange, I have focused on having podcast guests from all over the planet. But today's guest comes from just a few miles away. Will Kochtitzky is an assistant professor at the University of New England in my hometown in Maine. Will's specialty is observing and quantifying the impacts of climate change on planet Earth. Having worked in equatorial and polar regions, as well as on some of the tallest mountains and along our changing coastlines, will, has a very broad perspective on the subject.

Today he focuses on engaging and training University of New England's undergraduates to understand the consequences of climate change. He is also preparing them for work in this sector by providing them with hands-on opportunities to enhance climate resilience in their local college community.

A note to listeners who are further a note to listeners who are further flung the New England: in this podcast, we speak about a series of memorable winter storms that walloped Maine's coastline a couple of years ago, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and serving as a stark reminder of the precariousness of life as we know it along our treasured coastlines.

Support the show

Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!

I'd like to thank our sponsors:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.

Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!

Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!

Promotional and program partners include ...