ERICKA CARRERA
"If we don't believe in ourselves, no one will believe in our struggles."
Journalist with a major in Marketing and Public Relations focused on the Environment.
A professional freediver, he has won gold, bronze and silver medals in the 4 pool modalities. Instructor of CMAS/AIDA Schools.
What environmental projects are you currently working on and what is your purpose with each of them?
I have 3 passion projects that I am active in: Proyecto Sucre, Seasterhood and Carrera Freediving School. My purpose is to contribute to creating a more unanimous culture and society with respect to the environment, since through sport you can connect with nature and everything that we often do not see on the surface. You love what you know, so I try to help my students and those who come through my life to take a little piece of my lifestyle: reduce what I don't need, reuse what I can, upcycled giving it a new purpose and donating if I do not desire it.
What is the most important thing you have done in your job?
I was the first leader of Mingas por el Mar in Galapagos (2017), which was not easy but opened many doors. The data collected by the mingas helped implement the Law to Abolish Single-Use Plastics in Continental Ecuador. Additionally, together with Yacht AID, water filters were installed in 27 schools around Galapagos.
I have directed private donation funds for the Galapagos National Park and in the communication part with SOS Galapagos, I collaborated with investigative journalism with two articles, which taught me that there is no absolute truth. Personally, together with Seasterhood and Proyecto Sucre, we have developed freediving in the coastal communities of Salango and Machalilla, while with Carrera Freediving School we have graduated more than 100 students in 1 year, educational scholarships have been given to more than 30 people in Salango, Machalilla and Galapagos.
How did you discover your passion for what you do, what was your training like?
I always loved the water, I learned to swim when I was a year and a half old and I was with my dad in Baltra at the same age, he took me to a place called the shark pit where I fell in love with marine fauna and wildlife. Every year we went to the Galapagos. Then at 18, I studied my degree in Australia, I lived abroad for 8 years. When I returned, I spent 1 year on the "mainland" and lived 2 years in the Galapagos. I think everything connected in my life to do what I do and the passion only grew. Even today, I work with my family in sustainable agriculture by growing BSF (Black Soldier Fly) or Insect Meal and Pitahaya.
What does your daily work consist of, how would you describe a typical work day?
I would describe it as atypical and productive. My days start very early between 5 am to 5:30 am, I make Kai's lunch for school and prepare his backpack. On Mondays and Fridays I train pilates/crossfit/hypopressives, while on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 06:00 to 07:30 am I train apnea and return to drop off Kai. From there my day starts, I am in meetings, calls, emails all day. Organizing logistics, sales and shaping all my projects that for me are my Ikigai.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Be part of the development of projects, see how they progress and bear fruit. There's nothing better than looking back and saying, "It was all worth it."
Why do you think it is important that more women join the cause you fight for?
Women are strong, multifaceted beings, we mutate and evolve, but we also transform and are capable of achieving anything. If we do not believe in ourselves, no one will believe in our struggles, that is why we must have conviction. We have the power to positively or negatively influence everything around us, women build or destroy. It is important that more women join together to create a conservation community, not leave that task to anyone, but start with ourselves, in our habits and lifestyle.
What advice would you give to women who want to specialize and work the same as you?
Let them seek experiences that change their lives, live outside their comfort zone, read, be self-taught and never speak without knowing the subject. Part of my knowledge also comes from curiosity and searching for information.
What is the best advice you have been given?
Always keep an open heart and mind, because life is an ark full of possibilities, and the lion never cared about the opinion of the sheep.
In a single word or phrase:
The change you fight for: Conservation and Apnea
What changed your life: Australia and Galapagos
What inspires you to be better: That time on this earth is fleeting and so is life, when you realize this, everything changes. Every action matters.
Your favorite place on earth: Galapagos, Cueva de los Tayos, Uluru, Rome
What makes your perfect day: Efficiency, healthy food and rest Women who inspire you with their work: Maria Teresa of Calcutta, Lady D and my mother.
Instagram account of an environmental project that you recommend following: @proyectosucre @seasterhood @mingasporelmar @sosgalapagos
What change in our society do you think would make us better? Less ego and more unity
Book or course you recommend: How to set goals with the Ikigai and Kaizen methods, Hypnobirthday: The Morgan Method, Synchrodestiny Deepak Chopra
CECILIA TORRES
Director of Mingas por el Mar
"Being a woman, contrary to being a limitation, should be an advantage if you connect with your intuition."
What environmental project are you working on, what is your purpose with Mingas con el Mar?
At Mingas por el Mar we do citizen science and environmental education through cleanups of beaches, mangroves, forests, rivers and seabeds, in 26 locations in Ecuador. We work to educate artisanal fishermen, communities, activate collection points, to recycle fishing gear and other recyclable waste. Through the income from this recycling, we seek to create funds to support various environmental projects and communities.
How did you discover your passion for the care and conservation of the oceans?
Since I practice sports in the ocean I was inspired to do something to protect it. 13 years ago I lived in Costa Rica and had the opportunity to live between the sea and the mangrove, participate in monitoring sea turtle nests and beach cleanups.
What is the most rewarding thing about what you do at Mingas por el Mar?
My infallible tribe is made up of leaders and volunteers from different locations on the coast, mountains and island region. I have been able to meet wonderful people who are not expecting something in return, they are people who prefer to take action and not waste time complaining. I never stop being amazed at everything we are achieving together.
What is the best advice you have been given?
That along the way, opportunities arise when there is perseverance and sincere objectives. That being a woman, contrary to being a limitation, should be an advantage if you connect with your intuition. No one should silence your voice if the message you want to give is full of truth.
Why do you think it is important that more women join the cause you fight for?
Mother Earth has a feminine energy, of care and containment. Women have a particular sensitivity that connects us with this energy. During my path in activism, I have met many women who use that energy to address environmental problems and achieve concrete high-impact actions.
What advice would you give to women who want to work on environmental projects?
Try it without thinking twice. It doesn't have to be the ocean, there are other ecosystems that need help and ideas to make real changes. Human beings have made many mistakes, we have affected the balance of the planet and it is our responsibility to think beyond just preying or exploiting resources. If it is possible to restore that balance, the worst thing we can do is not take action if we care about the survival of our species.
Can we as citizens participate in the creation of public policies?
The State works for the people and it is the citizens who must often demand that the necessary regulations be executed.
Mingas por el Mar data helped drive the creation of the Single-Use Plastic Rationalization Law with the help of civil society and various organizations. The creation of public policies is a challenge because it involves executing action plans with the public and private sectors, otherwise the laws remain on paper.
In a single word or phrase:
The change you fight for: Environmental justice
What changed your life: The ocean What inspires you to be better: My family
Your favorite place on earth: Galapagos.
How to start your day: Meditation and grief
What makes your perfect day: Sports and sea.
Woman who inspires you with her work: Sylvia Earle
Instagram account of an environmental project that you recommend following: @missionblue @breakfreefromplastic @5gyres
What change in our society do you think would make us better?
Be less consumerist.
Book you recommend: Tools for Grassroots Activists: Best Practices for Success in the Environmental Movement
Habit that helps you conserve the environment: Buy only what you need and pay daily attention to reducing my waste.
How to become a Mingas por el Mar volunteer?
You can register at www.mingasporelmar.org/voluntarios or write to us at info@mingasporelmar.org
ANDREA CASTILLO
“We don't have to be scientists or study nature to help it.”
Environmental Engineer
Member of the board and scientific team of Conmar
Creator of Prana, sustainable cosmetics
What environmental projects are you working on with Conmar and what is your purpose?
My purpose is to contribute to the conservation of marine ecosystems through science and education. This is what we are achieving with Corallium, an assisted restoration project for coral communities.
We work growing corals in nurseries, which are then transplanted to sites that have been degraded for different reasons. We do it hand in hand with local fishing communities, whom we seek to educate and empower around the conservation of these ecosystems.
Tell us about Prana, your sustainable cosmetics brand, what problem do you want to solve?
At Prana we prioritize our health and that of the planet. I seek to contribute to conservation through the raw materials of the products and their packaging. The goal is for each product to be as friendly as possible to our body, avoiding exposure to chemicals that can harm us. In the end, if it's not good for you, it won't be good for the planet either.
How did you discover your passion for what you do, what was your training like?
Since I was little I always liked being in contact with nature, but especially with the sea. Nature never ceases to surprise me, I consider myself a curious person and that has led me to ask myself many questions and constantly investigate.
I studied Environmental Engineering, which opened my eyes to the planetary crisis and the damage that humanity has caused, so I decided to start making changes in my lifestyle and work on projects that are in harmony.
Why do you think more women should join the cause you fight for?
I believe that the climate crisis is a problem that affects all of us who inhabit the Earth, and therefore we must all fight for it on each of our fronts. However, studies determine that women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which is why I believe it is essential that we get more involved in this area.
What advice would you give to women who want to specialize and undertake in favor of the environment?
Let them not be afraid. We have always seen that science is something that men lead and we see it as a bit alien to us or difficult to achieve, but that is not the case. As long as you do what really fulfills you, things will happen. Plus, we don't have to be scientists or study nature to help it. The Earth is our home and everyone can contribute to its care, whatever their scope of action.
How can people help the ConMar project?
You can make donations on our website www.conmarecuador.org to help the projects move forward. We are also selling merch that helps us raise funds, you can see on our Instagram account @conmar.ec follow us and spread the work we do.
In a single word or phrase:
The change you fight for: Climate crisis.
What changed your life: Living in the present.
What inspires you to be better: Seeing more people fighting for the same things as me.
Your favorite place on earth: The sea
What does your perfect day have: Sun, sea or a forest.
Woman who inspires you by her work: Sylvia Earle, marine biologist.
Instagram account of a brand that you recommend following: @marianamatija
What change in our society do you think would make us better? Go a little slower. Stop to question our actions and therefore be a little more aware.
Book you recommend: For Life: “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” by Robin S. Sharma. On environmental issues, “The Inhospitable Planet” by David Wallace-Wells.
Habit that helps you conserve the environment: Being in constant contact with nature.
What is the best advice you have been given? If it makes you happy, don't stop doing it.