Ia Ora Na

We are delighted to share with you that on World Oceans Day the Blue Climate Initiative (Tetiaroa Society’s global initiative) was endorsed as one of the first flagship programs of the United Nations “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The UN’s Ocean Decade program seeks to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and create improved conditions for sustainable development of the ocean.  Its ultimate ambition is to provide a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to create a new foundation to strengthen the management of the ocean.

In its role as an Ocean Decade Network Partner, the Blue Climate Initiative will take on new responsibilities to stimulate, build and advance Ocean Decade programs.  This will create valuable opportunities to further advance the ocean/climate agenda on the global stage.

We would also like to share with you that at the end of this month the Blue Climate Initiative will be launching a US$1 Million Ocean Innovation Prize.  The Prize will be launched in collaboration with the United Nations as an Ocean Decade program.  Here’s the United Nations Announcement.  This Prize will focus on market-based innovation and entrepreneurship to address the climate crisis.  This focus on ocean-related technology and entrepreneurship will be a valuable complement to Blue Climate Initiative's highly successful Community Awards Program.  In addition to the UN, the Blue Climate Initiative will be collaborating with other organizations such as the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.  If you are aware of any organizations that might want to collaborate with us on this Prize, or that may want to be a financial sponsor, please let us know. It’s a great way for any organization to increase its impact while demonstrating its commitment to climate and ocean health.

For more information about the Blue Climate Initiative, visit blueclimateinitiative.org.

We are also delighted to let you know that through our global initiative we recently published a book entitiled  “Transformational Opportunities for People, Ocean and Planet”.  This book represents the work of over 65 global ocean experts in identifying the most promising ocean-related opportunities in six areas:  Health & Well-Being; Food & Nutrition; Marine Energy & Transportation; Mineral & Genetic Resources; Biodiversity & Nature-Based Solutions, and Sustainable Tourism. This book is available for download on the Blue Climate Initiative website.

Tetiaroa Society recently hosted a field course from the Université de Polynésie Française. These were 3rd year students in the Reo Tahiti (Tahitian Language) program and they came to Tetiaroa to learn about the natural and cultural history of the island. The general theme for the five-day course was to learn about different aspects of Tetiaroa and interpret them through Tahitian language and culture. The class had field trips and lectures conducted by professors and cultural experts and presented their interpretations in an afternoon of oral presentations, songs, and creative performances.

In honor of World Oceans Day we are using our Nature Note to cover ocean tides, which turns out to be a very interesting topic here in Tetiaroa.

The waves that create tides in the Earth’s ocean basins are influenced by the sun, the moon, and the ocean topography of a region.  In French Polynesia, this unique combination of influences essentially cancels the effect of the moon on our tides, so that the influence of the sun on the tides becomes noticeable. The solar tide has a very low amplitude (total range is about 70 centimeters, or 28 inches) and it follows the sun, so it is high at noon and midnight and low at 6am and 6pm.

The tidal situation on Tetiaroa is also affected by the fact that it is an atoll without a large break (pass) in the barrier reef. Constant wave impact on the barrier reef keeps the living coral and algae that maintain it covered in water to a level slightly above mean sea level

Because the tidal situation on Tetiaroa is so unique, observations of the level of the lagoon, the height that mini-waves wash up on a beach, and the ever-changing currents that carry food and sediment, is a constant source of amusement and wonder.

Archaeologist and author Bridget Alex published and excellent article last month on the history of Tetiaroa. She pulled together information from our archaeology team, led by Guillaume Molle, and our Cultural Director Hinano Murphy, to explore what is known about cultural sites on the island and Tetiaroa’s larger geopolitical role in the Society Islands. Definitely worth a read.

Tetiaroa Society was given a huge helping hand in our constant chore of dealing with ocean pollution on our beaches. For Earth Day this year our partner non-profit Te Mana o te Moana brought a group to the island that worked for three days cleaning the beaches. Big thanks to all who participated.

We are happy to report that The Brando resort re-opened on June 1after closing due to Covid travel restrictions in February of this year. The Tetiaroa Society Guide Team is happy to be back to work sharing the natural and cultural history of the island with resort guests. We hope to see you here soon!

Tetiaroa Society receives generous support from The Brando for our core operations, but our ability to carry out innovative programs depends on your help -- any amount is appreciated!

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Tetiaroa Society is a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #45-1080688). We host scientific research, develop and implement conservation and education programs, and curate the island's knowledge base. We partner with The Brando to establish Tetiaroa as a model for sustainability, where businesses, non-profits, scientists, educators and the local community work together for common goals. Our program objectives are summarized in our Conservation and Sustainable Use Plan, which is available on our website.