OCEAN HERO - MATHIAS GULDBERG
Two years ago, Mathias, a marine biologist from Denmark, shared his journey with us when he first relocated to Mexico to work on marine conservation. His passion and dedication haven’t wavered, but his focus has broadened. In this follow-up, Mathias reflects on how his work has evolved, the challenges he's faced, and the deep impact he's had on the local community.
OCEAN HERO - KATHERINE RICHARDSON
This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Katherine Richardson, Professor in Biological Oceanography, leader of the University of Copenhagen’s Sustainability Science Center, leader of Queen Margrethe’s and Figdís Finnbogadóttir’s Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Ocean, Climate, and Society, and a core researcher in an international research team focusing on identifying Planetary Boundaries – frameworks to describe limits to the impacts of human activities on the Earth system.
Katherine was also a member of the 15 person team appointed by Ban Ki Moon to write the 2019 UN Global sustainably Development Report as well as the Chairman of the international conference Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions, which sought to inform the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Ocean Heroes - Christine & Marie-Louise
Featured this month as our Ocean Heroes are Christine and Marie-Louise, ocean swimmers and environmental advocates - all year round! We first met the inspiring duo on Svanemøllen Strand, for a very cold and windy cleanup in March 2024. Bundled in our winter coats on the beach, we watched as they both calmly walked into the water in their wetsuits, and we immediately knew that we had to get to know them better!
Photo’s by Cphflamingo
Featured this month as our Ocean Hero: Mathilde Borregaard Gajhede, a 23-year-old university student and Nordic Ocean Watcher, whose dream is to one day be able to sail full-time!
Ocean Hero of June - Christian Mourier Havrehed
An explorer of the sea from a very young age, a rower, and a community volunteer, our first summer 2022 Ocean Hero took many challenging adventures in the open sea, and is ready to take another one! Christian Mourier Havrehed is embarking on ‘Row Round Denmark for Clean Seas’, a call to action for beach cleanups during a rowing round of Denmark!
Ocean Hero of April - Annika Kuhakoski
Annika Kuhakoski, a surfer, skater and snowboarder, a lover of the ocean.. and one of own! A former NOW Denmark Board member, Annika is a sustainability warrior who inspires everyone around her.
Ocean Hero of March - Nina Christophersen
Nina Christophersen is a working mum of two, living in Ishøj, Denmark, close to the sea – a place she feels one can find peace amid a hectic life. Looking at the issue of ocean pollution from her children’s perspective was a great eye-opener for Nina, and she has thus dedicated a lot of her time to beach cleaning and litter picking.
Ocean Hero of February - Grete Rolsted
Seeing her passion for the ocean ‘live’ during many of our cleanups, we consider Grete Rolsted as one of our own! Daughter of a forester and a retired healthcare professional (Dansk: ernærings- og husholdningsøkonom) aged 69, Grete has nature in her heart and mind.
Ocean Hero of January - Thomas Nielsen
New Year - new and more Ocean Heroes! Our first Ocean Hero for 2022 is indeed a true inspiration. Thomas Nielsen, manager of the Instagram account @ifyouseeedontletitbe sees cleanups as a duty, and also a bit of a sport!
2021
Ocean Hero of December - Kristoffer Larsen-Ledet
Kristoffer Larsen-Ledet, a surfer and Biology student at Aarhus University, tells us that there’s about a million ways to learn about and protect our oceans and marine biodiversity!
Ocean Hero of November - Daisy
Daisy told us an inspiring story: that it only takes a decision to change one’s life to focus on quality and sustainability. When the world breaks down or stands still what do you need most? Family and nature is the answer.
Ocean Heroes of October - Dorte and Solveig
Dorte and Solveig, or @supsisters_cph, two SUP beginners, tell us about their growing connection to the ocean, and their positive attitude towards ageing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle - mentally and physically!
Ocean Hero of September - Helene-Julie
Helene-Julie Zofia Paamand, an underwater photographer, scuba diving instructor, underwater ambassador and world traveller. With a true passion for photography, Helene-Julie shares stills of life below water to inspire and raise awareness of both the beauty of our oceans, but also the threats to them.
Ocean Hero of August - Cecilie Demant
Cecilie Demant is a Graphic Designer and diver, fascinated by the ocean and set on informing on and protecting global biodiversity. With a passion for living sustainably, Cecilie gives us all the tips and tricks to do the same!
Ocean Heroes of July - Jamila, Marc & Maria
A group of people passionate about life below water and life on land, who came together to form the voluntary organisation, Os Om Havet. The three young divers tell us the story behind their organisation and all the incredible ways to build an entire community of people who want to fight pollution!
Ocean Hero of June - Ilenia
Ilenia is a 31-year-old Italian, who has spent the last eight years in Denmark. A child of the sea, winter bather and a paddleboarder, Ilenia talks to us about her connection to the ocean and the life experiences that shaped her.
Ocean Hero of May - Inge
Inge is a 57-year old cleanup volunteer with Dråben i Havet, living in Frederiksberg. Inge uses the power of education through her work as an educator, to prepare the next generation to be responsible about the issue of waste.
Ocean Hero of April - Bjarne Hansen
Bjarne Hansen is a 70 year-old fisherman, ocean activist, and a living legend from the West coast of Jutland living in Thyborøn, Harboøre Tange. Son of ‘Rav’ Aage Hansen, Bjarne carries with him the activist spirit to save the Danish West coast from chemical pollution - a consequence of industrial activity in the area.
Ocean Hero of March - Bo Damgaard
Bo Damgaard - also known in the world of Instagram as Trash Ninja - is a 29-year old local Danish ocean hero from Bornholm, living in the west of Fyn. Beyond the visible trash that he can spot and pick up with his ninja moves, Bo also talks to us about the importance of invisible ocean pollutants, like substances in products we use everyday.
Ocean Hero of February - Morten Have Hansen
Morten Have Hansen, fly fisherman and co-founder of the initiative #PlasticInTheBasket, comes with a message that we can all do something - he tells us about campaigns and missions to save the ocean! Painting the real and unfortunate picture of many Danish coastal areas, he gives ideas on how to contribute to conserving our environment.
Ocean Hero of January - Izzy
Starting the new year with the Ocean Hero of our hearts, nominated as NOW’s Ocean Hero for January - Izzy is just 8 years old! She’s been a true source of inspiration for the NOW community with her litter pick ups and the responsibility she feels towards taking care of the environment and our oceans. Izzy is part of the NGO LINK Environmental Ambassadors.
2020
Ocean Hero of December - Signe Mossing Sørensen
Signe Mossing Sørensen, 18-year old windsurfer and windsurf instructor, and an artistic young entrepreneur who gives sea glass new life! Signe is a student at Egaa Gymnasium in Aarhus and runs her own company, SeaglassBySigne.
Ocean Hero of November - Cristina Mantas
Cristina Mantas, a model and a sustainability volunteer, talks to us about the importance of connecting, or re-connecting to nature, as well as the power of individual and collective action to save our oceans. Click below to find the full interview!
Ocean Heros of October - Mihai & Michael
Mihai and Michael, Sluseholmen locals, came together to raise awareness of pollution, but most importantly to inspire people on land and in water to take care of their local harbour. Leading by example, you’ll spot them in the area running around with a trash bag on their shoulders! Read more below!
Ocean Heroes of September - Nima & Christine
Nima and Christine brought together technology and sustainability, to connect local fishermen with local chefs with the aim to bring fresh and sustainable seafood to everyone's tables. Their app, Blue Lobster, helps simplify the way fish is bought and ensures quality seafood - fresh, fast and fair priced. Read more about them below!
Ocean Hero of August - Matthew Breedon
Meet Matthew, our Ocean Hero of August! This fun loving Canadian dives in the Copenhagen canals on his free time to pull out all kinds of trash from bikes to historical Viking axes… Click link below to read his full interview!
Ocean Hero of July - Kirstine Engell
Meet Kirstine, our Ocean Hero of July! This free-spirited traveling hairstylist/surfer/yoga instructor is passionate about interviewing likeminded ocean lovers and sharing their stories to inspire and educate people in how we all can become more aware of ways to protect the sea. Read her full story here!
Ocean Heroes of June - The Ocean Watcher community
This month we are nominating the whole community of Ocean Watchers in Denmark. Over 130 passionate volunteers, all working hard to take care of - and raise awareness about - marine pollution. As an Ocean Watcher, you can attend cleanups, share experiences from events, inspire others to collect waste in nature and meet people with similar values from all parts of Denmark. We work together for cleaner coastlines, less marine pollution, more sustainable consumption and for a society that takes care of our oceans. 💙 A sincere thank you to all the volunteers in our community!
Ocean Hero of May - Esben Thøstesen
Meet Esben, our ocean hero of May! During the corona lockdown, Esben had a great idea. When you’re out walking, why not just pick up some of the trash you see? He started the facebook group #skridtogskrald which quickly went viral, gathering thousands of people all over Denmark. The online community is posting pictures from their daily walks, getting exercise, enjoying nature, all the while being part of a community, that focus on cleaning up their local environments in the most simple way.
Ocean Hero of April - Tina Mygind Nordtop Jørgensen
Meet our Ocean Hero of April! Tina recently received a grant from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate clean-up events along the shores of Vejle Fjord, Denmark. Tina offers low-key tips, like remember to always bring gloves and a bag to the beach with you! She gets inspired by showing her children the wonders of the ocean and seeing other people dedicated to selfless acts of service.
Ocean Hero of March - Mathias Guldberg
Meet Mathias, our Ocean Hero of March! Mathias is teaching local communities in eastern Mexico about marine protection. He approaches this by inspired storytelling, taking people on sea-experiences and busting myths about the many creatures of the oceans. Every morning, he removes trash from the beaches and arranges beach- and reef cleanups.
“It wasn’t until my early twenties, when the ocean really started to interest me. Before that, I must admit I was a bit scared of the dark sea - most likely influenced by the horror movies I grew up with”
Ocean Hero of February - Johanne Holm Jacobsen
Meet our Ocean Hero of February!
Johanne just came back back from a sailing trip in Indonesia with Ekspedition Plastik, collecting samples of microplastics in the ocean for research.
”I think that we all have a responsibility for taking care of the ocean as it plays such a vital part in the overall health of the planet that we all live on. I kind of want to name a boat Tavaha one day and sail around collecting plastic.”
Ocean Hero of January - Simen Knudsen
Meet our Ocean Hero of January! Simen is the founder of Nordic Ocean Watch:
”I grew up by the ocean, so it’s always been important. But I guess the combination of surfing, watching first season of Blue Planet, studying marine technology and seeing all the plastic on the beaches really sparked somethin that opened my eyes and heart to the Ocean and the need to do something more than just paly around in it.”
Ocean Hero of December - Henrik Kaarsholm
Meet our Ocean Hero of December 2019! Henrik Kaarsholm is a photographer, surfer, vet and an everyday ocean hero. He used to be a lifeguard on the West Coast of Denmark, where he also saved our NOW Denmark team by pulling our car out of a puddle we got stuck in on a team cleanup. We’re grateful to know this kind soul who keeps helping the humans, animals and environments around him on a daily basis.
