Science is the bedrock of our understanding of marine ecosystems. At PEM, we foster continuous sea exploration and scientific research, tracking their health, the underlying threats, and possible solutions, which set the foundations to develop effective conservation strategies. These become tools, programs, and policies that through responsible and informed management enable the ocean to recover and thrive.
Our Purpose
Drive change by restoring
and protecting the ocean.
We live on a blue planet that reflects only one-tenth of the natural abundance it once had. Life began in the ocean, and life (for us) could end if we don´t truly address climate change and the loss of biodiversity. It is time to rebuild the future, not only to survive, but to thrive, and do so in partnership with all of nature.
We believe the narrative can change if we steer creatively through this time of emergency. Business as usual is no longer an option. Instead, we need to design regenerative economies and revive place-based cultures that not only enhance ocean protection but also embrace it in the long run. The collaborative life system that nature supports can and should be a source of wisdom to co-create a win-win-win future where the planet, the community, and the individual all benefit in reciprocity.
True transformation is built from the bottom up. In close collaboration with communities and other organizations, we work to drive grassroots change. We support initiatives that go beyond traditional solutions. We celebrate shared achievements and believe that if the ocean thrives, we do too. We aim to challenge possibilities with imagination and restore the ocean together. We are as persistent as nature is resilient, and we will work tirelessly to protect it. We remember the world before us, and we believe that what once was may be once again.
Our Purpose The Sea
Whether we live 1,000 miles inland, in a big city, or in a small town by the sea, our lives are bound to the ocean. Because the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the temperature we feel depend on it.
The ocean regulates climate and global temperatures by absorbing and redistributing heat around the planet through air and water currents. Its mangroves, kelp forests, and seagrasses make it a giant carbon sink, responsible for absorbing more than 30% of CO2 emissions, while phytoplankton and algae in the ocean produce 50% of the oxygen we breathe. The evaporation of its waters marks the beginning of water cycles on planet Earth, and almost every drop of rain that hits the ground, and makes it flourish, can be traced back to the ocean.
Yet, this life support system has a life of its own, beyond ecological services and big numbers. It was once a pristine habitat for marine species that thrived in constant collaboration and balance. Back then, seagrass meadows carpeted the ocean floor as abundant feeding grounds for marine animals while mangroves and kelp forests lined the coasts, providing refuge and habitat to the most diverse species. An ocean so exuberant that schools of fish had no beginning and no end to human sight.
Imagine vibrant coral reefs teeming with life, whales by the hundreds, and marine creatures like sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, and rays, multiplied tenfold. And remember, many species you’ve never seen were once there too. Abundance was the rule, not the exception, and life was everywhere to be found, even in the deepest grounds beyond the reach of light and our own knowledge.Today, this world of wonder has changed. Overfishing has depleted fish populations, disrupting the natural balance. Pollution, unplanned coastal development, and industrial aquaculture practices are destroying marine habitats and creating oxygen-deprived "dead zones." Additionally, plastics have reached even the most remote corners, harming marine wildlife.
How we work The Four Pillars
Climate change has further exacerbated the problems, causing sea-level rise, ocean warming, and more frequent and severe storms that endanger coastal communities and their way of life.
So much has been lost, but so much can be saved. The odds might seem against us, but there is still hope. The ocean remains resilient and there is still a chance to change the tide before this window of opportunity closes forever. Just imagine, for a moment, that the ocean can thrive again, and join us to challenge the odds, and create a thriving future for the sea.
01 Science & Conservation
02 Policy & Advocacy
Public policies play a pivotal role in protecting the ocean on a large scale. At PEM, we work closely with communities, local leaders, policy experts, and scientists to develop the most effective legal tools for each region. We encourage communities to voice their demands and collaborate with them to make them happen.
03 Local Stewardship
Safeguarding the ocean in the long term is only possible through local stewardship. By learning from and collaborating with local communities to foster ownership of conservation efforts, we support grassroots change that becomes embedded in cultural memory. Local communities are the true guardians of the places they live and love, strengthening the bond between people and the sea, passed down through generations.
04 Communication & Activism
Communication is key to conveying the importance of conservation to a broader audience. Our goal is to connect people with the ocean through compelling content and creative storytelling, making complex topics accessible and relatable. By doing so, we increase public support for conservation initiatives and inspire action through activism, uniting people to defend the ocean.
