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]
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 |
Early life and education
editAmbrose'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
editIn 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.