In this episode of "Doing What Works: Exploring the Blue Economy," host Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins engages in a dynamic conversation with Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltSea. The episode delves into Tamminen's extensive experience in the blue economy, from his early days working with tropical fish breeding to his role in shaping environmental policies as Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and explores innovative solutions for sustainable development in the oceanic sector.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- The significance of pursuing work that aligns with one's passion and purpose.
- The role of policy and advocacy in promoting sustainable practices and job creation in the blue economy.
- The importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing environmental challenges and developing sustainable solutions.
- The impact of education and workforce development programs in preparing the next generation for careers in the blue economy.
- The urgency of addressing climate change and environmental degradation to ensure a thriving future for humanity and the planet.
About Our Guest
Terry Tamminen is a renowned environmental strategist, author, and advisor with a wealth of experience shaping environmental policy over several decades. He served as the California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary and is the founder of 7th Generation Advisors, guiding organizations toward sustainable practices. Terry's expertise lies in developing comprehensive solutions that address climate change, promote renewable energy, and build a more resilient future.
Impactful Quotes
"I think the mere fact that... SMC has a certificate program where a person can come out of high school with some STEM classes, go through a less than two-year certificate program, come out with a certificate that qualifies them to get a great job. That's real, on the ground, roll up your sleeves, and do something with that education."
– Terry Tamminen
"I was in high school, and on evenings and weekends, I worked in a nursery. I can honestly tell you that every single thing I've done since then, I would have done for free if I was independently wealthy. I've been so fortunate, and that was the lesson I learned: do what you love because it makes the days go by, and it makes you happy at the end of a long life."
– Terry Tamminen
"I'd say the number one thing is a balance between protecting and restoring the ocean and harvesting sustainably from it because we haven't done that. We have the ability to heal ourselves and our planet by treating the ocean sustainably and then using it sustainably."
– Terry Tamminen
"And if we kill the ocean, we're literally killing ourselves. So I think our laws, our Environmental Protection laws, have started to realize that, and certainly, more and more people do that when you're going to develop something that you've got to take the environment into consideration, but in 100% of the cases, it always makes things better for jobs, for people, for the community, even for profits in a company."
– Terry Tamminen
