Kristal Ambrose
Kristal Ambrose | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Bahamian |
| Alma mater | Gannon University (BA) Dalhousie University (MS) |
| Occupation(s) | Marine biologist, environmental activist |
| Awards | Goldman Environmental Prize (2020), Environmental Youth Leader Award (2014) |
| Website | https://www.kristalambrose.com |
Kristal Ambrose is a Bahamian marine biologist and environmental activist.[1] In 2013, she founded the Bahamas Plastic Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing plastic pollution.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Ambrose's passion for conserving marine life began due to experiences she had in her early life. She would go swimming every day with her father and later worked at an aquarium.[3] Ambrose studied Fisheries Management and Aquaculture at Hocking College and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Gannon University. She also has a Master of Science in Marine Affairs from Dalhousie University.[4] Ambrose began studying for a Doctor of Philosophy at the World Maritime University in 2020.[5][6] Her doctoral thesis is entitled "Contextual Barriers Facing Caribbean SIDS in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution: Assessing the need for harmonised marine debris monitoring and contextual equity to support participation in the global plastics treaty negotiations by Caribbean SIDS".[7]
Activism and research
[edit]In 2013, Ambrose began working on a citizen science initiative called the Plastic Beach Project, studying the amount of plastic on beaches.[3] In 2014, she started a summer camp to educate young people about plastic pollution.[8] Alongside the Plastic Pollution Education and Ocean Conservation Camp, Ambrose also runs a Junior Plastic Warriors Environmental Program.[3] Ambrose is the founder of the Bahamas Plastic Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing plastic pollution.[2]
In April 2018, Ambrose successfully convinced the government of the Bahamas to ban single-use plastic bags, straws, cutlery, and expanded polystyrene cups and containers. The nationwide ban came into effect in January 2020.[9] She gained international recognition for her efforts to combat plastic pollution in the Bahamas, culminating in her receipt of the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2020.[10] Ambrose's initiatives have notably engaged local youth in environmental advocacy.[11]
Awards
[edit]- 2014 Environmental Youth Leader Award (from the Government of the Bahamas)[3]
- 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize (for grassroots environmentalists)[3][12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Bahamian scientist wins Goldman Prize for leading kids in the fight against plastic waste". CBC Radio. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b South, Daniel (28 January 2021). "Kristal and her students are fighting to eradicate ocean plastic". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Caribbean Women in STEM". Your Commonwealth. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Kristal Ambrose:CV". Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "WMU PhD Candidate Kristal Ambrose Receives Prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize 2020". World Maritime University. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "International Development Committee Oral evidence: UK Small Island Developing States Strategy". House of Commons. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Ambrose, Kristal (2023). Contextual Barriers Facing Caribbean SIDS in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution: Assessing the need for harmonised marine debris monitoring and contextual equity to support participation in the global plastics treaty negotiations by Caribbean SIDS (Thesis). WMU Publications:Malmö, Sweden. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "How one young scientist is tackling plastic pollution in The Bahamas". The Commonwealth. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Kristal Ambrose". Goldman Environmental Prize. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Watts, Jonathan (30 November 2020). "Plastic in paradise: Goldman prize winner's fight to protect Bahamas". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Zoeller, Chezza (December 2023). "Environmental Hero: Kristal Ambrose". One Earth. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Kristal Ambrose". Goldman Environmental Prize. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2024.