The same week that Nvidia became the world's first $5 trillion company, significantly propelled by its AI-related investments and products, Meta's stock had its worst day in three years because traders fear that Meta has overspent on AI.
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The tectonic plates of technology shift every couple of decades, fundamentally altering how humanity interacts with data and systems. Dato’ Fadzli Shah, Co-Founder of Zetrix, addressed attendees at the Bloomberg Business Summit at ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur, outlining his vision for how the region can strengthen its digital economy and competitiveness through the advancement of […]
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There is a moment of pure, unadulterated excitement that every traveler knows: seeing a flight price so ludicrously low it feels like a glitch in the matrix. A flight to a different country for the price of a dinner out? A cross-continental journey for under a hundred euros? This is the promise of the Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) model—a promise built on the foundation of the “un-bundled” fare.
The theory is simple: the base fare gets you a seat and transport, nothing more. Everything else—from a blanket to a bottle of water—is an optional extra. The reality, however, is a frustrating, confusing, and financially punishing gauntlet of paywalls erected around what were once considered the fundamental basics of flying.
We’ve moved far beyond paying for checked bags. Today, airlines are nickel-and-diming passengers for comfort, efficiency, and administrative assistance. The era of truly cheap flying is over. The flight may be cheap; the process is anything but.
Here are 10 of the most egregious and expensive fees that prove the “low-cost” flight has drifted far from true affordability:
For decades, the ability to lean your seat back—even just a couple of inches—was a universal right of the weary traveler. Now, it’s a luxury item. With cabin redesigns on aircraft like the Boeing 737 MAX, some carriers, notably WestJet, have fixed most economy seats in a permanent upright position. To reclaim the ability to recline, you must upgrade to an “Extended Comfort” or “Premium” seat. What was once a standard courtesy has quietly been reclassified as a premium amenity, forcing travelers to pay for even the slightest measure of relaxation.
“Basic Economy” fares look tantalizingly cheap, but they are often booby traps. Many carriers, including United Airlines, explicitly forbid passengers from bringing a standard carry-on bag (the kind that fits in the overhead bin) with this fare. If you show up at the gate with one, you are forced to check it—and the gate-check fee can easily run around $25 each way. This mandatory cost instantly wipes out any initial fare saving, catching unsuspecting travelers who aren’t meticulous about reading the fine print.
The ultimate lottery win on a full flight is an empty seat next to you. Airlines have figured out how to monetize this small miracle. Carriers like Eurowings, Lufthansa, and Frontier now offer a “free neighbor” or guaranteed empty middle seat option as an upsell. You are effectively paying a premium not to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with a stranger. Comfort and social distance are no longer decided by luck or light loads; they are a menu item.
In the push for online automation, human assistance has become a financial punishment. Forget to check in online? On some European carriers, turning up at the airport counter without having completed the digital steps can cost you up to €55. Missed the step of downloading and printing your boarding pass? Expect a €20 fee just to have a slip of paper handed to you. This is less about cost recovery and more about punitive pricing designed to force behavioral compliance.
Traveling with young children used to mean airline staff would ensure the family was seated together. With Ryanair, if you are traveling with a child under 12, one adult must buy a reserved seat to guarantee the family sits near each other, though up to four children can then be seated nearby for free. This might seem like a convenience, but for a budget-conscious family, it feels like a mandatory cost, a strategic fee designed to hold parents hostage for the safety and comfort of their kids.
Mistakes happen. A typo on a booking or a slight spelling error can have catastrophic financial consequences. For an agent-assisted name correction, Ryanair can charge up to a staggering €160. EasyJet also imposes substantial fees for anything more than minor, three-character errors. One slip of the finger when rushing through a booking can quickly make the administrative fee outweigh the original ticket price.
Even on standard “basic” fares, many airlines now segment seat selection. While the most coveted seats (aisle or window) are priced higher, some carriers, like British Airways, may even charge you extra just to avoid being stuck in the middle seat entirely. Seating, once a simple part of the service, is now a complex, tiered product designed to extract the maximum possible revenue based on your preference for an unobstructed shoulder.
What was once a courtesy for certain frequent flyers or a standard efficiency measure is now a purely transactional upsell. Many LCCs, including Ryanair, offer Fast Track security access as a paid add-on. While on busy days this can be a lifesaver, on quiet days, you end up paying for a quick line that never materialized. The airlines are monetizing one of the most stressful parts of the travel experience.
In an age of endless online automation, calling an airline to book a flight or handle an enquiry has become a premium service. Several airlines charge up to $35 extra just for the privilege of booking a ticket over the phone with a human agent. This fee punishes those who lack reliable internet access, are less tech-savvy, or simply need complex assistance that an automated web form cannot provide.
Perhaps the most ethically thorny charge, U.S. carriers like United and American Airlines may require passengers who cannot fit comfortably within the standard seat dimensions to buy a second seat. While Southwest has an admirable policy of refunding the extra cost post-flight, the initial requirement places a significant financial and emotional burden on plus-size travelers, raising serious fairness concerns about accessible air travel.
These 10 charges serve as a crucial reminder: the advertised price is almost never the final price. The airline industry’s massive growth in ancillary revenue—the money made from these add-ons—is proof that this model works, for them.
However, passengers are not entirely defenseless. Regulations like EU261 and UK261 continue to offer robust protection for severe delays or cancellations, potentially entitling travelers to hundreds of euros in compensation, plus meals and lodging. Furthermore, European regulators are currently considering action to ban hidden cabin baggage fees, pushing for a guaranteed minimum “free luggage” allowance.
The lesson for the modern traveler is clear: be meticulous. Before hitting “book now,” calculate the true cost of your trip—the seat assignment, the cabin bag, the check-in method—or risk having that €15 base fare balloon into a staggering €150 budget-buster. The power lies in research, turning the fine print from a trap into a travel strategy.
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The post Stripe’s AI Backbone: Powering the Agent Economy with Financial Infrastructure appeared first on StartupHub.ai.
Stripe, under the leadership of Emily Glassberg Sands, Head of Data & AI, is not merely adapting to the artificial intelligence revolution; it is actively constructing the financial infrastructure upon which this burgeoning agent economy will operate. In a recent Latent Space podcast interview with hosts Shawn Wang and Alessio Fanelli, Sands articulated Stripe’s ambitious […]
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The monumental unveiling of a sprawling museum complex has been leveraged by Egyptian officials as a primary catalyst for the widespread revitalization of the nation’s Egyptian tourism industry. This sector, considered critically important to the national financial landscape, has been subjected to significant impediments for more than a decade, having suffered consequential setbacks from internal political instability, the global pandemic, and persistent regional conflicts. The expectations placed upon the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) are considerable; it is projected that this singular institution could attract as many as seven million additional tourists on an annual basis following its inauguration. This influx is anticipated to be instrumental in pushing the total number of yearly visitors toward an ambitious target of approximately 30 million by the year 2030.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is not merely an exhibition space; it is a colossal architectural statement overlooking the timeless splendor of the Giza Pyramids. Spanning an immense area of 500,000-square-meters, the edifice has been constructed to house tens of thousands of invaluable artifacts, forming one of the world’s most significant collections. The cornerstone of its appeal is the promised, complete display of the treasures belonging to the boy-king Tutankhamun. For the first time, this entire collection is set to be presented to the global public, with a substantial portion being showcased after having been kept in storage due to previous spatial constraints.
The necessity for a successful tourism revival is amplified by the critical role the sector plays within the broader Egyptian economy. The generation of foreign currency through visitor expenditure is the primary mechanism by which the national balance sheet is buttressed, allowing for the procurement of vital imports. The industry’s vulnerability has been starkly illustrated over the past fifteen years. Following the political upheavals initiated by the 2011 uprising, tourism revenue plummeted to a low of $3.8 billion during the 2015/2016 financial year. Although a recovery had been underway, bringing the visitor count to 15.7 million and revenue to a record $15 billion in the year preceding the museum’s announced opening, the sector continues to operate under its full potential.
Challenges related to aging infrastructure, insufficient strategic planning, and unavoidable security restrictions have been cited as key limiting factors. An immediate comparison is often drawn to the regional context, where Egypt currently lags significantly behind its competitor, Turkey. That nation reported having welcomed more than 50 million international visitors in the corresponding period, generating an income exceeding $60 billion. Consequently, the aggressive targets established for the GEM—specifically the goal of reaching 30 million total visitors annually—are viewed not merely as ambitious projections but as essential milestones for economic stability.
A deliberate strategic shift is being executed within the Egyptian tourism industry to prioritize the attraction of cultural tourists. This segment of the market has been identified as being significantly more valuable, as cultural tourists typically allocate more time to their stays and are observed to generate higher expenditure when compared with visitors whose primary focus is beach or leisure holidays, such as those popular at the Red Sea resorts. While the existing Red Sea destinations remain popular with many international travelers, the opening of the GEM is being used as a lever to increase the proportion of visitors motivated by cultural immersion.
Official governmental figures do not precisely categorize the number of tourists arriving solely for cultural reasons. However, a study conducted in 2021 regarding the potential impact of the GEM estimated that cultural travelers constituted less than a quarter of the total visitor count. This estimate has been further reinforced by Professor Abdelmoaty, whose professional analysis suggests that the number of cultural tourists represents only ten to fifteen percent of all international travelers. To effectively facilitate the transition and capitalize on this niche, efforts are being made to integrate the new museum experience into comprehensive travel programs. For instance, joint packages are being offered by hospitality groups, designed to encourage visitors to combine a museum visit with a subsequent three-night stay in a nearby Red Sea destination, such as Ain Sukhna, which is conveniently located a mere hour’s drive from Cairo. The long-term success of this dual-focus strategy is considered crucial for maximizing the yield from the Grand Egyptian Museum investment.
The full potential of the GEM cannot be realized without corresponding, high-quality infrastructure, a point which has been extensively emphasized by experts such as Ragui Assaad, a professor of international economic policy at the University of Minnesota. The necessity of superior hotels and streamlined transportation networks is considered paramount. These logistical enhancements are particularly vital in the context of Cairo, a megacity grappling with an estimated population of 23 million people and notoriously congested streets.
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The Prompting Company raises $6.5M to develop its generative AI advertising platform, which inserts brand mentions into AI chatbot conversations.
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in South Korea this week to cool down the rising trade tensions that have been shaking global markets, including the crypto and AI sectors. The two leaders discussed reducing tariffs that recently caused volatility across industries, especially in Bitcoin mining and digital assets.
Trump hinted at progress even before the talks began, saying, “We’ve already agreed to a lot of things and we’ll agree to some more right now.” After the meeting, he called it the start of a “fantastic relationship for a long period of time,” expressing optimism about future ties between the U.S. and China.
In a video shared by the White House on X, Trump again emphasized his positive outlook on U.S.–China relations. The meeting, confirmed by the Rapid Response 47 account, was seen as a key move toward restoring economic stability.
President Donald J. Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 30, 2025
"I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, and it is an honor to have you with us." pic.twitter.com/ISpVBzkvN3
In recent months, Trump’s tough tariff policies and China’s retaliatory actions, including limits on rare earth exports, have raised fears of a global slowdown. These tensions directly contributed to the October 10 crypto market crash, when Bitcoin plunged from $121,560 to below $103,000 in just hours, wiping out billions in value.
Many traders blamed the drop on uncertainty surrounding the trade war, as tariffs threatened not just traditional markets but also sectors tied to crypto and blockchain technology.
Reports now suggest both sides are stepping away from their most extreme positions. U.S. officials say Trump is unlikely to move ahead with his proposed 100% import tax on Chinese goods, while China may relax export limits on rare earth materials essential for tech production and Bitcoin mining equipment. Beijing may also consider resuming U.S. soybean imports.
These steps could help restore confidence in global markets and provide some relief to the crypto industry, which has faced liquidity shocks driven by geopolitical uncertainty.
The ongoing trade dispute has hit U.S. Bitcoin miners hard, as many rely on importing equipment from Asia, especially China and Malaysia. With Trump also meeting Malaysian officials recently, hopes are rising for smoother supply chains and possible tariff relief.
Meanwhile, China’s restrictions on rare earth exports key materials for AI chips and mining rigs have caused further worries about production delays.
If these diplomatic efforts continue positively, markets could see a boost in sentiment. Bitcoin is currently trading around $109,689, while Ethereum sits near $3,914, both slightly lower as traders remain cautious. For now, easing tensions have brought temporary stability, but investors are still watching closely for policy updates or potential Fed rate moves that could spark the next big crypto rally.
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
Trump and Xi met in South Korea to ease trade tensions and discuss reducing tariffs that have been shaking global markets, including crypto and AI sectors.
Rising tariffs fueled fear and volatility, leading to a sharp crypto selloff on October 10 when Bitcoin plunged from $121,560 to below $103,000.
Bitcoin trades near $109,689 and Ethereum around $3,914 as easing tensions bring short-term stability but traders remain cautious about future policies.
Not even four months after American technology company Nvidia rode the AI surge to become the world's first $4 trillion company, it has become the first ever to cross the $5 trillion threshold.
This tracker includes layoffs conducted by U.S.-based companies or those with a strong U.S. presence and is updated at least bi-weekly. We’ve included both startups and publicly traded, tech-heavy companies. We’ve also included companies based elsewhere that have a sizable team in the United States, such as Klarna, even when it’s unclear how much of the U.S. workforce has been affected by layoffs.
Layoff and workforce figures are best estimates based on reporting. We source the layoffs from media reports, our own reporting, social media posts and layoffs.fyi, a crowdsourced database of tech layoffs.
We recently updated our layoffs tracker to reflect the most recent round of layoffs each company has conducted. This allows us to quickly and more accurately track layoff trends, which is why you might notice some changes in our most recent numbers.
If an employee headcount cannot be confirmed to our standards, we note it as “unclear.”
Seattle is looking to celebrate and accelerate its leadership in artificial intelligence at the very moment the first wave of the AI economy is crashing down on the region’s tech workforce.
That contrast was hard to miss Monday evening at the opening reception for Seattle AI Week 2025 at Pier 70. On stage, panels offered a healthy dose of optimism about building the AI future. In the crowd, buzz about Amazon’s impending layoffs brought the reality of the moment back to earth.
A region that rose with Microsoft and then Amazon is now dealing with the consequences of Big Tech’s AI-era restructuring. Companies that hired by the thousands are now thinning their ranks in the name of efficiency and focus — a dose of corporate realism for the local tech economy.
The double-edged nature of this shift is not lost on Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson.
“AI, and the future of AI, and what that means for our state and the world — each day I do this job, the more that moves up in my mind in terms of the challenges and the opportunities we have,” Ferguson told the AI Week crowd. He touted Washington’s concentration of AI jobs, saying his goal is to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its downsides.
Seattle AI Week, led by the Washington Technology Industry Association, was started last year after a Forbes list of the nation’s top 50 AI startups included none from Seattle, said the WTIA’s Nick Ellingson, opening this year’s event. That didn’t seem right. Was it a messaging problem?
“A bunch of us got together and said, let’s talk about all the cool things happening around AI in Seattle, and let’s expand the tent beyond just tech things that are happening,” Ellingson explained.
So maybe that’s the best measuring stick: how many startups will this latest shakeout spark, and how can the Seattle region’s startup and tech leaders make it happen? Can the region become less dependent on the whims of the Microsoft and Amazon C-suites in the process?
“Washington has so much opportunity. It’s one of the few capitals of AI in the world,” said WTIA’s Arry Yu in her opening remarks. “People talk about China, people talk about Silicon Valley — there are a few contenders, but really, it’s here in Seattle. … The future is built on data, on powerful technology, but also on community. That’s what makes this place different.”
And yet, “AI is a sleepy scene in Seattle, where people work at their companies, but there’s very little activity and cross-pollinating outside of this,” said Nathan Lambert, senior research scientist with the Allen Institute for AI, during the opening panel discussion.
No, we don’t want to become San Francisco or Silicon Valley, Lambert added. But that doesn’t mean the region can’t cherry-pick some of the ingredients that put Bay Area tech on top.
Whether laid-off tech workers will start their own companies is a common question after layoffs like this. In the Seattle region at least, that outcome has been more fantasy than reality.
This is where AI could change things, if not with the fabled one-person unicorn then with a bigger wave of new companies born of this employment downturn. Who knows, maybe one will even land on that elusive Forbes AI 50 list. (Hey, a region can dream!)
But as the new AI reality unfolds in the regional workforce, maybe the best question to ask is whether Seattle’s next big thing can come from its own backyard again.
Related: Ferguson’s AI balancing act: Washington governor wants to harness innovation while minimizing harms
Every year Ireland’s national tourism body, Fáilte Ireland, conducts a survey to get a sense of the problems tourism businesses in Ireland are facing. Most businesses attempted to recuperate economic pressures mainly during summer of 2025. Most of those businesses reported stagnated or declining revenues compared to 2024. This highlights the difficulties in recovering fully during a continuous economic climate.
After gathering information, or lack thereof, from respondents of the survey, Fáilte Ireland reported 43% fell revenues. Another 20% had flat revenues. Only able 37% reported growing business. Lingering sentiments of uncertainty from business owners after subdued economic conditions should have lead to far worse performance in the survey, leading Fáilte Ireland to be pleasantly surprised.
Sectoral Differences: Hotels, Restaurants, and B&Bs Struggle
The performance of different sectors within Ireland’s tourism industry varied widely, according to the survey results. While some businesses saw growth, others faced serious challenges. Notably, 54% of hotels and 46% of tourism attractions reported an increase in turnover during the summer. For hotels, however, the increase was tempered by a reduction in the number of longer stays, although the dip was somewhat offset by a rise in short breaks, which proved to be a more popular option for travelers this summer.
Conversely, the survey revealed that restaurants and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) had a much harder time, with 64% of restaurants and 52% of B&Bs stating that this summer had been particularly difficult for their businesses. The challenging conditions were attributed to a range of factors, including rising operational costs, particularly energy and payroll expenses, which continue to strain the profitability of these businesses.
Regional Disparities: Wild Atlantic Way vs. Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
The survey also highlighted significant regional disparities in tourism performance across Ireland. Some areas, such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East, were able to maintain their revenue levels from the summer of 2024, indicating that these regions managed to attract a steady stream of tourists. The appeal of these areas, known for their breathtaking landscapes, cultural heritage, and outdoor activities, remains strong, contributing to their resilience despite the overall industry downturn.
On the other hand, businesses located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, particularly in the midlands region, as well as those in Dublin, reported more concerning figures. Fifty percent of operators in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and 48% of those in Dublin claimed that their revenue had decreased compared to the summer of 2024. This indicates that urban and midland-based businesses are facing more difficulty in attracting tourists, possibly due to factors such as high accommodation costs, less appeal for certain traveler demographics, or competition from more well-known tourist regions.
Decline in North American and European Visitors
One of the most significant findings in the survey was the reported decline in the number of visitors from key international markets, particularly North America and Europe. Forty-four percent of businesses reported a decrease in revenue from North American tourists this summer, with similar declines observed from European markets. The decrease in revenue from these international visitors was a key concern, as the tourism industry in Ireland has long relied on travelers from the United States and key European countries like Germany and the UK.
Specifically, 44% of businesses noted a decline in visitors from Germany, while 48% of respondents reported a drop in visitors from Britain. These declines suggest that external factors, such as economic uncertainty, changes in travel behavior, or even geopolitical issues, could be affecting Ireland’s ability to attract international tourists. The drop in European visitors, in particular, may also reflect a shift in preferences, with some European tourists opting for destinations closer to home due to cost concerns or changing travel patterns.
Rising Operational Costs Remain a Major Concern
Rising operational costs continue to be a major concern for tourism operators across Ireland. Over 1,000 survey respondents cited energy costs as a primary challenge, reflecting the broader economic pressures that businesses are facing in the wake of global energy price fluctuations. Additionally, payroll costs were highlighted as a significant factor affecting business performance, with 81% of hotels and food and drink operators listing them as a key concern.
Non-accommodation operators, such as tour operators and attractions, also noted that the high cost of accommodation is a growing issue, especially when it comes to attracting international visitors. Many businesses expressed frustration over the perception that a holiday in Ireland offers poor value for money, a sentiment that is becoming more common among tourists as costs continue to rise across the sector.
Positive Reviews Amidst Challenges: A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the challenges reported, the survey did show some positive aspects of the tourism sector’s performance. Fifty-five percent of tourism businesses reported receiving positive reviews and recommendations from visitors, indicating that there is still strong satisfaction with the quality of experiences provided in Ireland. This positive feedback is essential for long-term growth, as repeat customers and word-of-mouth recommendations remain crucial for the industry’s recovery and resilience.
Uncertain Outlook for the Rest of 2025
Looking ahead to the final quarter of 2025, the outlook for the tourism industry remains subdued. According to the survey, 44% of businesses expect their revenue to decline in the last quarter compared to the same period in 2024. Only 21% of businesses expect an increase in income, with most operators bracing for a challenging close to the year. This reflects broader concerns within the industry about economic uncertainty, rising costs, and changing travel trends that are impacting tourism worldwide.
The Impact of International Tariffs and Uncertainty
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding international trade tariffs, particularly with the United States, has also had an effect on the tourism sector. About 25% of businesses claimed that the uncertainty caused by tariffs had a negative impact on their investment plans, with many operators delaying or scaling back projects. This uncertainty is particularly evident among businesses that rely heavily on American visitors, as changes in trade policy and the broader global economy could further impact international tourism to Ireland.
A Challenging Year for Irish Tourism
According to the most recent data from Fáilte Ireland, the “Tourism Barometer” survey yields a mixed picture for the sector. Although some areas and industries exceeded expectations, most operators are struggling with sustained poor profitability, coupled with rising and hard to predict international trade. The anticipated conditions for the coming months are expected to remain unsustainable. This is a reason to expect poor profitability for hospitality and tourism. Some positivity from visitors and the considerable effort resilience and business adaptation under the current conditions provide some reason for expected unsustainable profitability levels to remain for the sector in the recovery phase.
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Hundreds of global leaders gathered in the Pacific Northwest this week for the inaugural One Ocean Week Seattle, a maritime conference with dozens of events that brought together company executives, government officials and advocates charting paths toward cleaner shipping, sustainable fishing and ocean conservation.
The conference, organized by Washington Maritime Blue, was anchored by Wednesday’s One Ocean Summit, where leaders from global companies with Seattle ties discussed their climate progress and the challenges of deploying sustainable technologies.
Seattle-based SSA Marine, a global marine terminal operator, has 200 locations worldwide, moving cargo from ships to terminals and onto trains and trucks. The company has carbon emissions targets and is working to shift from gas and diesel to electrical power for the machines moving moving the cargo, but the move requires juggling sometimes competing factors.
“If you have a piece of electrical equipment, you have to think about charging time that’s required in between shifts, and when can you actually fit it in there?” said Meghan Weinman, SSA Marine’s vice president of sustainability. “One of those big pieces of innovation that we really have to think about is the overlay of technology, labor planning, and can it do the job that we need it to do.”
Corvus Energy is a Norwegian clean shipping company with Seattle offices and a manufacturing facility in Bellingham, Wash. The business is helping vessels go electric with its maritime battery technologies, serving ferries, cruise ships, tugs, cranes and fishing boats.
It’s an evolving sector and the company spends up to 15% of its annual revenue on research and development to fine-tune its technology to meet demanding oceanic conditions.
“It is totally different to operate a battery in an EV versus a maritime setting,” said Corvus CEO Fredrik Witte. “For an EV, you’re traveling three, four hours a day, maybe. But in a maritime setting, you’re potentially operating 24/7.”
Seattle’s Trident Seafoods operates fishing boats and onshore production facilities, including the largest seafood processing plant in North America in Akutan, Alaska. While seafood typically has a much lower carbon footprint than beef, pork or dairy, the company wants to reduce the climate impacts associated with its operations.
But Paul Doremus, Trident Seafoods’ vice president of policy and sustainability, pointed to a hard reality: the company competes directly with Russian and Chinese seafood companies that are doing business under less stringent environmental regulations.
He said the seafood sector — “which has been kind of famously fragmented, small, fairly scrappy” — needs to come together to collectively make improvements.
Doremus applauded events like One Ocean Week Seattle for gathering maritime interests to draw attention and capital toward “sustainable use of the ocean for the benefit of local communities, regional and national.”
“I think that’s the next wave,” he said.
The call for collaboration echoed throughout the One Ocean Summit, which also featured former NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, United Nations officials, and Norway’s ambassador to the U.S.
Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck gave a welcome address, highlighting the state’s maritime economy while calling out threats from plastic pollution, undersea noise, and environmental degradation.
“To face these challenges, we will need to develop new technologies and strengthen our institutions,” Heck said. “It will require sustainable fuel storage, habitat restoration, quiet propulsion and so many other inventions and innovations. But more importantly, it will require the dedication and teamwork of thousands of people.”
The message was reinforced by Haakon Vatle, leader of the One Ocean Expedition, which is sailing a 111-year-old Norwegian tall ship across the globe. The ship, named the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, was moored just outside Bell Harbor International Conference Center during the event.
“The role of our ship is to create attention and share knowledge of the crucial role of the ocean for a sustainable future,” Vatle said. “We’re going to use a ship to reduce the gap between science and the public — get the people we need for the ocean we want. We cannot save the ocean alone.”
Editor’s note: GeekWire reporter Lisa Stiffler was the volunteer emcee of the One Ocean Summit.
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