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President Biden’s special envoy for climate, John Kerry, has been traveling the globe encouraging world leaders to limit Earth’s warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. In March Kerry traveled to London, Brussels and Paris to convince allies to move more quickly on climate change. This month Kerry will stop in India, Bangladesh the U.A.E. and China.

On 4/17/21 China and the U.S. committed to co-operating with each other and other countries on climate action. The statement was issued by Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua. Chinese President Xi Jimping may attend. The stage is now set for the convening of 40 of the world’s leaders to attend a virtual Earth Day summit hosted by President Biden. This meeting is intended to renew relationships ahead of the global U.N. gathering in Glasgow in November hosted by the U.K.

Sources:

Washington Post 4/18/21

The Guardian 4/19/21

Heather R. Spence, PhD

While COVID has posed many serious problems, including to field work researchers and operations, it has also highlighted the need for baseline research so that changes can be evaluated. Interest in underwater sounds is heightened as changes in human noise in the ocean due to COVID are being investigated. 

We recently acquired a new underwater recorder and are developing new protocols to maximize the continuity of the long term acoustic datasets in Mexican coral reefs. These long term baseline data allow us to evaluate not only COVID effects but also impacts of change in temperature and other human impacts. 

One of the challenges with long term monitoring is filtering through the sheer amount of data. New advancements in automation and machine learning hold promise for making new discoveries. We have developed a partnership with Cornell's Bioacoustics Program that will allow us to rapidly scan the recordings for the presence of species of interest such as endangered species, vital to justifying protections to key habitat areas. 

Later this year the recordings will be featured in a musical performance thanks to a grant project from the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative. Originally intended to be an in person concert, adjustments are being made for a virtual experience. Stay tuned for details.

Mexican leaders in the project from The Stills and National Parks Office recently visited the site of The Listener sculpture project -- artificial reef art collaboration with artist Jason deCaires Taylor -- to conduct maintenance and document ecosystem changes. Check out the growth of that coral! In dark moments we can hold on to these images of resilience and hope.

Photo credit: Raymundo Santisteban

Gail Fendley, MEF President, recently gave a speech at The Church of the Covenant, Michelle's church in Arlington, Virginia. Below is an excerpt from the speech, and you can read the full speech here.

MEF was born of a desire to fulfill Michelle’s legacy as best we can. With the help of her attorney sister, Yasmine Rassam, a 501(c)3 was formed by her many, many friends to carry out her mission.  

Here’s some of what we do:  

One of the reasons Michelle went to the University of Vermont was the Intervale - some of you may get Gardener’s Supply catalogues - a company that birthed the Intervale. Michelle worked in their Food Distribution Hub and we’re following her lead.  

 

The Intervale is dynamic non-profit in Burlington, VT that implements innovative, replicable and place-based solutions to address some of global agriculture’s most pressing problems. They are transforming the food system from one that is degrading, anonymous and industrial, to one that is restorative, familiar and human scale. They’re working to foster a local food economy that is good for people and the planet.

  

One of Michelle’s friends is Dr. Heather Spence, a musician/biologist. She combines biology with her musical training to protect endangered species off the coast of Cancun.

 

She’s developed a partnership with Cornell's Bioacoustics Program that will allow her and her partners to rapidly scan the underwater recordings for endangered species, vital to justifying protections to key habitat areas. 

  

Another friend - Ian Willson - my son - works in New Orleans where he owns and operates a starter plant nursery and compost and worm farm. His plants are grown especially for the New Orleans climate. His clients go to his nursery for plants as well as local farmer’s markets. He even delivers in these COVID days. He encourages everyone to grow their own food and if not, know their grower by name. His articles show up in antigravity magazine in New Orleans.

 

Others including Allison Faylich and Rachel Huennekens have given solar panels for libraries and other community buildings. Stephanie Lewis worked with American University in Beirut to help plant Lebanese cedars on barren hillsides. Christina Borgia’s expertise shows up in our newsletters. They come out quarterly – check with Diane to get on the email list. We’re always looking for ways to extend Michelle’s legacy. We think of Michelle as the pebble and all these friends as the waves. We are so grateful that she offered the gift of friendship to so many!

 

Michelle’s cousin is T-H Culhane. He is a mentor to National Geographic Young Explorers who now teaches at the University of South Florida. TH was producing electricity on a bicycle during one of California’s earthquakes. TH has taught communities all over the world how to turn all organic material into biogas for cooking and fertilizer. His training center, Rosebud Continuum is now associated with the University of South Florida.

 

Michelle’s spirit lives on today in the lives and work of her many friends.

As the pandemic lingers on, do plant a garden for yourselves and others. The food banks are always in need of being resupplied.

While you're in the garden, remember the fragile Monarch larva that can only eat Milkweed and plant some for them too!