Ocean Summit – Newport

Three years after the first Volvo Ocean Race Ocean Summit in Newport, the historic sailing destination once again welcomed representatives from the worlds of sport, industry, government, science, and ocean advocates. The second Newport Ocean Summit opened to a packed crowd inside the Volvo Pavillion, and a live stream on Facebook that has 29,000 views and counting.

Since the first Ocean Summit, the conversation has changed from the shock of learning that there is plastic in the ocean, to curating an engaged discussion, and inspiring solutions and innovations that can stop the global issue of plastic pollution. Highlights of these commitments included:

  • The state of Rhode Island, the first in the United States, signing the UN Environment Clean Seas pledge.
  • Volvo Cars committing to removing single-use plastics from all its offices, canteens and events across the globe replacing over 20 million single-use plastic items with sustainable alternatives.
  • Bluewater and 11th Hour Racing announcing their partnership with Imagine H2O for the Urban Drinking Water Challenge 2018 to advance and deploy resilient drinking water solutions in fast-growing cities globally.

Watch the behind-the-scenes highlights of the Newport Ocean Summit above and click here to watch the hour-long Facebook live stream. You can also watch the full two and a half replay here.

An incredible group of speakers was gathered to create a stimulating conversation – focusing on the theme of solutions to plastic pollution and the power of sport to create change.

Photo credit: Jesus Renedo/Volvo Ocean Race

“Everyone needs to realize the impact they make on the world, and make smart choices where they exist.” – Charlie Enright, Skipper of Vestas 11th Hour Racing.

Photo credit: Jesus Renedo/Volvo Ocean Race

“11th Hour Racing’s strategic partnerships drive innovation that tackles the challenges impacting our oceans and planet. Imagine H2O’s Urban Drinking Water Challenge is an exciting opportunity to address the global and critical issue of potable water scarcity while supporting communities and cities to build water resiliency.” – Jeremy Pochman, Co-founder and Strategic Director of 11th Hour Racing.

Photo credit: Jesus Renedo/Volvo Ocean Race

“This race is an enormous opportunity to educate people around the world – and this platform will become larger and larger.” – Wendy Schmidt, Co-founder of 11th Hour Racing.

Photo credit: Jesus Renedo/Volvo Ocean Race

“This is the first ever data that the scientific community has been able to analyze from a relatively inaccessible part of our blue planet. Unfortunately, it shows how far and wide microplastics have penetrated our vast oceans and that they are now present in what, until now, many have considered to be untouched pristine waters.” – Dr. Sören Gutekunst of GEOMAR Institute for Ocean Research Kiel.

Following the Ocean Summit, 11th Hour Racing held a workshop in association with Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute and the Volvo Ocean Race on the importance of designing and making products that have a positive impact on the environment and human health. Attendees included representatives from diverse sections of the marine industry discussing ways to move the needle forward on the types of materials and end-of-life use for the many different products manufactured by the marine industry.

The Cradle to Cradle workshop focused on creating new connections within the marine industry and empowering companies to think about products that have a positive impact. Photo credit: Jessica Seevers/11th Hour Racing

Watch the full replay of the Newport Ocean Summit below.