Continue to check back for more information as we build our conference!
Lindsay Porter, Scientist and Conservationist from "A Plastic Ocean"
Lindsay graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in Aquatic Biosciences. After a few years fieldwork on the seals of Scotland, Lindsay moved to Hong Kong to start her PhD study on the local dolphin population. Lindsay has been based in Asia for the last twenty years and works for the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, which has a centre of excellence dedicated to marine mammal studies. She is interested in tropical marine mammal ecology and focuses on those populations which are at risk from human activities and processes. She has lead projects in Hong Kong, China, Australia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and East Timor.
Lindsay’s work on threats to the blue whales of Sri Lanka is featured in the documentary A Plastic Ocean. The population of blue whales that resides in the northern waters of the Indian Ocean is unusual in that the whales do not travel on an annual migration, like other whales. To identify the threats that these unique whales face, Lindsay and various other researchers have investigated distribution and local movement patterns and how these overlap with human activities. Of particular interest is the health of the population, the high toxin levels present may stem from the ingestion of degraded plastics. Lindsay also works on education and communication programmes so that she can share findings from science with the wider public.
Gupta Sitorus, Entrepreneur and Eco-Activist
Gupta serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Avani Eco, an eco-technology company embarking on a mission to cut down global plastic consumption by offering a proven integrated eco-friendly solution to replace petroleum-based disposable plastic products. His background in Political Science, Sustainability and Communications helps him spread this message. In addition, he is also serving as an advisor for several governmental bodies, chief editor of a gastronomy magazine (official publication of Indonesia Gastronomy Academy) and a brand & communications advisor for several F&B premises. He also writes articles for several media in his free time, with a focus on lifestyle media.
Isabel and Melati Wijsen - Co-founders, Bye Bye Plastic Bags
Two teenage sisters have taken a stand against pollution in Bali - and they've convinced the government to ban plastic bags starting this year, 2018. The island suffers from a crushing plastic pollution problem, so Isabel and Melati Wijsen decided to take action and start Bye Bye Plastic Bags to mobilize other kids and adults to work toward a cleaner Bali. To achieve this goal, the girls have organized beach clean-ups, put on a fashion show, given a TED talk, gone on a hunger strike, and met with the UN Secretary General. Their keynote will focus on what they've done so far and on why they believe so passionately in their cause.