The ocean is calling
And it’s a call of distress. Answer it with Mathilda D’Silva of Ocean Purpose Project
I’ve been dreaming of going to the beach for a couple of months now. But since I can’t (not at the moment), I’m going to do the next best thing instead – and that is to write about it.
I’m talking specifically of the ocean, and of a cause that contributes to us being able to appreciate its beauty even more because of their efforts. I’ve come across Ocean Purpose Project (OPP) – a social enterprise based in Pasir Ris, Singapore that focuses on “ocean conservation and plastic pollution prevention”.
It does all this through three key pillars: Plastic to Fuel, which is about “transforming ocean waste into low-sulphur fuel, carbon black and carbon nanotubes through OPP’s deployable pyrolysis machines”; Bioplastics, which is about “creating a single-use plastic alternative from seaweed and mussels that purifies our seas”; and Behaviour Change, which is about “mobilising corporates and communities through offline projects, like beach clean-ups and Blue Carbon projects in Singapore and Bali, and online programmes like the OPPortunity Webinar and social media campaigns”.
Whew. As you can see, they do a lot of work.
And it doesn’t stop, either. How can it? Mathilda D’Silva, Ocean Purpose Project’s CEO and founder, cites one recent piece of news about the ocean that has stuck with her.
“The oceans cover 71 per cent (and rising) of the Earth’s surface,” she shares.
“Scientists are finding microplastics in the deepest parts of the ocean, including the Mariana Trench and even in the air of the mountains and within human bodies. This highlights the pervasive nature of plastic pollution and its impact on even the most remote and pristine environments.”
Aside from pollution, there’s marine life disappearing, too. “The oceans contain 97 per cent of the Earth’s water,” Mathilda adds.
“If oceans fail, the planet is toast – literally. If we don’t act now to take care of the ocean, we also stand to lose vital ecosystem services that support human well-being, such as climate regulation, coastal protection, and nutrient cycling.
“Furthermore, the loss of biodiversity and degradation of marine habitats can have profound cultural and spiritual implications for coastal communities around the world.”
Here’s another
“In 2018, there were more than 300 reported incidents of toxic or harmful algae blooms around the world. That number is growing with virtually no concerted efforts to address the source of the pollution or mitigate its effects,” she stresses.
“It’s precisely why our work at Ocean Purpose Project matters so much. Just one seaweed and mussel line filters 48,000 litres of seawater a day – no energy used, working 24/7, 365 days a year. If this was done by a machine, the cost of a machine that can do that amount is SG$33,000, using enough energy to power two small American homes for a year.”
You’ve probably heard it all before
Or something similar. But maybe Mathilda’s recollections will make it feel more personal, and the images more vivid.
“When I say ocean health and human health are intertwined, I speak from personal experience,” she says.
“Last week I had a frightening experience. During a clean-up, sea water in Pasir Ris splashed into my eye. Coupled with complications from Sjogren’s Syndrome, it led me to lose my sight for two days. All I saw was white, and the pain was excruciating.
“Since 2015, when exposure to polluted water in Boracay (Philippines) triggered multiple autoimmune issues in my body, I could feel ocean pollution acutely because it affects me in so many ways,” she continues.
“I hide a lot of my symptoms and difficulties well – most people this week did not know how much pain I was in or why I had sunglasses on at night or closed my eyes during meetings. The fear of losing sight, movement, skin and hair colour is something so hard to accept especially when it moves so quickly through my system.”
This doesn’t have to happen
To you or to anyone. And if you want that one piece of news about the ocean that has stuck with you to change, here’s what Mathilda suggests we consider.
#1 Don’t be afraid
“The world seems to be frightened of difficult and humungous work,” she observes.
“More resilience is needed by the sustainability community to tackle deeply entrenched issues such as plastic pollution, and to look at things logically instead of wallowing in emotion.
“The politics of ocean conservation and the collective will to take concrete actions that lead to transformations takes many forms, from the politics of participation to the profound differences in political power, to the ability and inability to control the narrative, to access to marine resources and existing academic knowledge.”
#2 Look at the data
“I am a huge fan of data-driven conversations; collaborative styles of working that I learned from many Indonesian startups and NGOs; and getting stuck in, learning from the industry and always looking at numbers to tell the story instead of feelings,” she goes on.
#3 Celebrate milestones (and let it remind you to keep going)
“I wish people understood how monumental our projects are – we’re doing such unique work that pulls multiple stakeholders to work together instead of riding off trends or copying off existing ideas,” she points out.
“It isn’t easy to do pioneering work where even industry professionals and academia ask for our advice, but this is why we need all the help we can get to move our First in Singapore projects forward – like our Plastic to Hydrogen project, which not only addresses plastic pollution, but also provides an innovative solution to energy sustainability.
“Additionally, our Bioplastics initiative showcases the potential of nature-based alternatives to traditional plastics, contributing to a circular economy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.”
#4 Sign up for a cooking class
Their Traditional Nasi Lemak Cooking Class and History by the Beach activity, that is.
“This is the perfect way to introduce Ocean Purpose Project and our mission to family, colleagues, and friends visiting from overseas,” she recommends.
“Participants will not only learn to cook a delicious traditional dish, but also gain insights into the importance of sustainable food practices, the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems, and the role of community-led initiatives in ocean conservation.”
What you get in return
You see some of the results, and they’re gratifying.
“Some of my favourite experiences and lessons during my work for Ocean Purpose Project include witnessing the positive impact of our projects on local communities; connecting with passionate individuals and organisations working towards similar goals; and learning from the resilience and ingenuity of nature in the face of environmental challenges,” Mathilda reveals.
“A former villager of Kampong Pasir Ris referred to me as Penghulu – because our office stands close to where the original shoreline of Pasir Ris used to be. Penghulu means ‘village chief’ in Bahasa Melayu; to me this is a tremendous honour.
“It is not easy to earn the respect of fishermen and grassroots leaders who even today appear in the mornings to help us water plants. Money or influence cannot buy the freedom of building new solutions to ocean pollution together with the sometimes invisible members of coastal communities.”
So think about your love for the ocean
And use it as a starting point to support a cause like Ocean Purpose Project or another one of your choosing, because it will help the ocean thrive (us, too) – and you get to enjoy it for many years to come.
“The salt water, the pulse and surges of the current, the magnified beat of your heart, and the muffled sounds reverberating through the water together recall the womb. The sea, it is said, is like a mother,” Mathilda muses.
“What I love about the ocean is its vastness and beauty, its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and awe, and its role as a source of inspiration and rejuvenation.
“For me, the ocean represents a profound connection to nature, a reminder of our interconnectedness with all living beings, and a call to action to protect and preserve this precious resource for future generations.”
I’m not as poetic as Mathilda, but I can say that the ocean makes me feel at peace. It reminds me of my childhood. It gives me a chance to hear and listen to my thoughts clearly. It frees me (for a while) from stress. I don’t feel alone. It centres me. It also saddens me to know that when I look at all that green and blue, various marine life are suffering.
We can’t just leave it at that, can we? With Ocean Purpose Project, I’m reminded that my outlook and future beach itinerary need an update.
What about you? What does the ocean represent for you? Can you share other activities and causes we can help with? What’s your best beach memory?
Find Ocean Purpose Project here and on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
Cover photo by Joylynn Goh on Unsplash