Good and Green
The Good and Green Podcast, hosted by sustainability advocate Chit Juan, was created for the purpose of helping social entrepreneurs overcome challenges and grow impactful ventures that drive meaningful change. Each week, we share the tools, strategies, and stories that empower changemakers to build businesses with purpose. Whether you're launching your dream social enterprise or looking for fresh inspiration, this podcast is your go-to space for practical insights and uplifting conversations. Let's create a brighter, more sustainable future together!
Good and Green
Episode 25: Fight for Marine Life This Month of the Ocean with Anna Oposa
How do we protect our oceans while empowering the next generation of advocates?
In this inspiring episode, Chit Juan speaks with Anna Oposa, Chief Mermaid and co-founder of Save Philippine Seas, about her 14-year journey in marine conservation. Anna shares how education, storytelling, and community partnerships fuel her advocacy work, and why empowering young leaders is key to long-term impact. From climate education and waste workshops to saving sharks and changing policy, Anna reminds us that everyone has a role to play in protecting our seas.
GUEST BIO:
Anna R. Oposa is the Executive Director and "Chief Mermaid" of Save Philippine Seas, a movement to conserve coastal and marine resources by empowering "seatizens" towards collective action and behavior change. For over a decade, she has been in the forefront of programs to reduce and manage marine litter, conserve sharks and rays, and address the impacts of climate change on our oceans through experiential education programs and policy advocacy campaigns.
Anna graduated with a degree in BA English Studies from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with honors and obtained her MSc in Conservation Science from Imperial College London as a Chevening scholar. Anna has been recognized locally and internationally for her efforts: she was the youngest recipient of the Future for Nature Award in 2012; one of the 2021 awardees for The Outstanding Young Men and Women of the Philippines (TOYM); and one of the 2021 awardees for The Outstanding Women in Nation's Service (TOWNS). She is also passionate about puns, punctuation marks, and red lipsticks.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- How Save Philippine Seas began and how it evolved.
- Anna’s turning point in year seven of her advocacy journey.
- The power of youth engagement and experiential education.
- Why marine conservation includes solid waste, policies, and culture.
- Bridging gaps between urban and coastal communities.
- Anna’s reflections on national identity and our disconnect from the ocean.
- How companies can support marine conservation through partnerships.
QUOTES:
- Just ride the wave. — Anna Oposa
- We need to focus more on education. — Anna Oposa
- The ocean knows no borders. — Anna Oposa
- Filipinos don't have a strong sense of national identity that is related to the sea. — Anna Oposa
- We have to look at the oceans with a different set of glasses. — Chit Juan
- Reflect on what changes you can make at home. — Anna Oposa
- It's not always about not buying, but buying better. — Anna Oposa
LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Connect with Anna Oposa:
- Anna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaoposa/
- Save Philippine Seas - https://savephilippineseas.org
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/savephseas
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/savephilippineseas
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
- Subscribe to the Good and Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
- Follow Chit Juan on Instagram and Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Subscribe to EchoNews on LinkedIn.
