The Charles Darwin Foundation raises awareness about ocean conservation in Times Square

The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) joined forces with the Galapagos National Park Directorate, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) to raise awareness about ocean conservation in New York’s iconic Times Square on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

The 10-minute long spot featured two key messages:

• "The climate impacts our ocean. Our ocean impacts the climate."
• "Discover the marine wonders of Galapagos."

These messages were displayed on the iconic screens in Times Square, with incredible imagery from the recent deep-sea expeditions led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, which our senior marine scientist, Stuart Banks, was a part of. SOI’s latest expedition led to the discovery of a new hydrothermal vent field site west of the islands.

The campaign was aired on the last day of Climate Week NYC, an annual event that brings together leaders from governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations to discuss and advance solutions to the climate crisis. Climate Week NYC takes place during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, and attracts thousands of participants from all over the world.

CDF is committed to working with partners around the world to protect the Galapagos Islands and other marine ecosystems. The campaign in Times Square is a powerful call to action, urging us all to do our part to conserve our oceans for future generations.

The images displayed on Times Square were recorded during two expeditions conducted around the Galapagos Islands in August and September 2023, onboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too), in collaboration with the Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), Charles Darwin Foundation, and the Ecuadorian Navy’s Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute (INOCAR). The first expedition was led by Chief Scientist Roxanne Beinart of the University of Rhode Island, while the second was led by Chief Scientist Katleen Robert from Memorial University of Newfound and Labrador.