Leaders in Conservation: Elaine Leung
Leaders in Conservation is series by Sea Smart that has conversations with leaders in the field of conservation from across Canada. Today, we feature Sea Smart founder and Executive Director, Elaine Leung.
WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT CONSERVATION?
Dr. Elaine Leung, Sea SmartWhat makes me passionate? Making the world a better place. For me, this starts with protecting our oceans. Life on this planet can’t exist without our oceans. Over 50% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the oceans. The oceans control our weather and temperature!
Unfortunately, our oceans are at great risk... they are getting warmer and more acidic, coral reefs are dying, fish populations are collapsing...and on top of all of this, many countries are treating the ocean like it’s their dumpster. Over 8 billion kg of plastic garbage enters our oceans each year; there might be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. We must take action NOW to turn the tides on ocean threats. It’s extremely heartbreaking and I go through periods where I think all hope is lost, what’s the use of trying. However, I refuse to give up!
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD?
Elaine with a sea lion pupGrowing up I wanted to be a veterinarian because I always loved animals. That is the main reason I went into biology, for my love of animals. Serendipity struck when I was 20 and hired to research sea lions for UBC. I fell in love with the ocean and never looked back. It was at that point that I switched to marine biology, so I could help protect the species I love.
I have the most amazing life as a marine biologist, working all around the world studying endangered marine animals in some of the most beautiful, remote places in the world. You can imagine, I have really experienced first-hand the threats our oceans are facing. But at the same time, I realized that there is something each of us can do to help. I started up Sea Smart to share my knowledge and passion for our oceans and to inspire and empower people to love and protect our oceans.
WHY DID YOU START SEA SMART?
Dr. Elaine Leung with a Sea Smart studentI’ve travelled the world studying endangered marine animals working for different governments and universities. When I finished my Ph.D., I realized over 30 of the species that I’ve studied or interacted with will go extinct within my lifetime.
I couldn’t live with myself knowing I just sat idly by, doing nothing because I thought the world’s problems were too big and there was no point in trying. This was the period in my life where I realized that by doing conservation research I was not fulfilling my purpose to make the world a better place. I KNEW I wasn’t doing what I was meant to do. I want to teach people how to love and protect our oceans, how do I do that? With Sea Smart!
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF YOUR WORK?
Elaine with a Sea Smart camperI want to help people foster love, curiosity, and connection with our oceans...because you only protect what you love. Kids are incredibly open, creative, and powerful change-makers. I am truly convinced that kids will be the ones who will champion the cause to protect our environment. All we have to do is spark their love for nature and help them foster a connection with the environment.
Adults are stubborn, and super hard to get them to change their ways. Kids are open to different ideas, and when they decide on something, they go for it all the way. It feels so joyful to be able to share my passion and knowledge with these kids. It truly is a privilege to inspire these kids to love the ocean.
