OCEAN LOVERS TALKS - ALGAE GOLD

Ocean Algae is becoming the new gold for the planet, being used for animal feed to reduce methane, beer manufacturing to reduce CO2, bio-fuel, sustainable clothing, plastic substitutes and a major food source. This planet-solving gem from the ocean has been heralded as the key for a sustainable planet and supporting humans. This fast-growing crop, with a small environmental footprint, has the potential to be used across an impressively broad range of products. The rich biodiversity of algae–the group of marine plants that include seaweed–is matched only by its potential for commercialization as an ingredient in foods, supplements and beauty products.

Is algae the new gold? ABC's Natasha Mitchell talks to researchers and innovators to find out what makes algae so valuable. It’s being used for everything from animal feed to reduce methane, beer manufacturing to reduce CO2, bio-fuel, clothing, plastic substitutes food

Dr. Alex Thomson is the Industry Engagement Manager for the Climate Change Cluster (C3) research institute, in the Faculty of Science. Through the Deep Green Biotech Hub at UTS, Alexandra spearheaded the world’s first dedicated algae accelerator program - joining biotechnology and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for STEM-preneurs across NSW to accelerate algae innovation and engage with science.

Dr. Pia Winberg was seeking a more sustainable, low emissions way to grow food from the ocean and coastal zones. Ahead of her time perhaps, she realised seaweed was a missing link: seaweed re-oxygenates the seas, buffers against acidity and can grow up to 50 times faster than land based crops. She went on to discover a unique Australian species of seaweed and develop the technology to farm it sustainably, while capturing copious CO2 and nitrogen spill-off from industry and releasing only clean, oxygenated water back into the environment. In doing so, Pia realised what a nutritional dynamite seaweed was – particularly the seaweed she’d discovered, with its exceptional taste and nutrition profile for human health. For the last 14 years she has been showing how seaweed fills the gap for so many nutrients in our diet; some of them able to overcome global health challenges such as inflammation, trace element deficiencies and poor gut health.

Michael is an experienced leader and environmental systems practitioner with a passion for the delivery of transformative change projects. As the founder of AlgaeCo, he strives to live the mantra that ‘it is time to stop planning and start doing’. Michael has almost 30 years project management and team leadership experience, working in Australia and abroad across industry, corporate, government, and university sectors. AlgaeCo delivers world-leading micro algae technology for high value products, environmental remediation and carbon emission reduction. AlgaeCo. was founded by four leading algae, bio-tech, and environmental systems’ experts–Professor Richard Bush, Dr Swaminathan Detchanamurthy, A/Prof Thava Palanisami and Dr Michael Askew–with the goal of sustainably producing human health products and providing nature-based solutions to industry's most challenging environmental legacies.

Where: High Tide Room, Bondi Pavilion

When: 12:15 - 12:45 pm, Sunday 24 March

Ocean Lovers Talks are a feature program of the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival bringing you inspirational talks by leaders and luminaries, scientists, innovators, adventurers and future thinkers focused on solutions to better protect our ocean, promoting hopeful and inspiring views for the future.

The Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival is an annual celebration of Ideas, Art+Music & Actions, showcasing some of the latest innovations, science, state-of-the-art technology and cool ideas for helping the ocean. Be inspired and entertained with art, music, food, talks, stalls, workshops and more. Visit our website for more information.