Taking the plunge into ocean carbon sequestration
COVID shifted my thinking on what makes a successful career. After a career overly-focused on meeting corporate objectives (and while I was working and learning from amazing people, achieving large scale success generating ~$300m revenue a year, leading a team of 1200+ people), I have realised I have a role to play that is bigger than one company and the industry I was in. So I have funneled a healthy redundancy package into a new business start up, and cannot believe the pace and passion that is gathering around a shared purpose and my new "obession-profession" as a carbon advisor for the ocean carbon sequestration industry.
Where this began
Back in 2018, I nominated myself as an executive sponsor of a corporate partnership with the Antarctic Science Foundation, enabling climate research in Antarctica and The Southern Ocean. Since then I have become more than a little obsessed with Krill, Seaweed, "the million year ice core" and the scientific frontier of ocean carbon sequestration. My trips to Hobart to meet the Krill tanks, and experts working at the key Universities and the Australian Government's Antarctica division, confirmed I was committed to help shine a spotlight on the globally important (climate-wise) scientific discoverers.
Further back in time
As a third generation engineer, (bred from a lineage of environmental and power engineers) I am a practical problem solver. As a middle child, I learned early-in-life how to navigate complex and creative collaborations. As an ex-strategy consultant, energy engineer, project manager, corporate social responsibility executive and managing director of a large business unit, I have learnt how to get stuff done with purpose-aligned teams of good smart people around me.
Current day
Now in 2021, I clearly see how to connect the consumer, investor, corporate and political momentum, with the scientists and existing ocean-based business operators, to meet net zero emissions targets by 2050.
Proof of concept
I have tested out my business concepts on some industry leading stakeholders: ASX listed companies, leading researchers including CSIRO/AAPP, ocean based seafood/seaweed businesses, state government reps, carbon assurance experts, investors/financiers, climate change not-for-profits etc. Through this process I have confirmed, we have a market for new opportunities to be introduced to it.
Purpose-based
I am motivated by purpose over power, purpose over profits and purpose over passion. That means I am pushing for smart practical open collaborations that are focused on purpose-based goals. A common purpose I am hearing from the key players in this market is genuine, together we are rebalancing the Earth's atmosphere to ensure sustainable rates of climate change and global warming, and that means, in context, "restoring abundance to the ocean by 2050".
Next updates - based on demand
- Myth busting: Blue Carbon, Ocean Carbon, Carbon Offset trading and associated Science/Methodology/Assurance processes.
- Explaining how the Ocean Sequestration market can align funds with projects that will contribute the boost to carbon abatement
I am open to other suggestions as I share my journey with Cequest.
Please reach out for a chat and sharing of ideas.
You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop. ― Rumi
Take care,
Marni
[Image: Me meeting some krill for the first time in 2018, in Hobart at the labs at the Australian Antarctic Division - facebook post was labelled "Krilling it in Tasmania"]
Marni Oaten
Cequest Pty Ltd.
marni.oaten@cequest.com.au
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