20 February, 2024
In a dynamic fusion of environmental advocacy and high-speed racing, the E1 Booth and Race event captivated audiences in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in February 2024. Led by Professor Carlos M. Duarte, renowned marine scientist and Chief Scientist for E1, the mission of the organization is clear: to restore coastal waters and ecosystems for both current and future generations. At the heart of E1's initiatives lies a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge clean technologies and methods for aquatic restoration.
One of the event's highlights was the establishment of the Blue Cities League—a collaborative effort aimed at positively impacting urban coastal restoration. Professor Duarte's leadership in advancing this initiative underscores the urgent need for collective action to protect our coastal environments.
The event also provided a platform for knowledge exchange, with several coral scientists from KAUST and the CORDAP team sharing insights into their groundbreaking work. Professor Duarte took center stage in a panel discussion, emphasizing the critical importance of implementing coral protection measures on a global scale.
Joining Professor Duarte were notable figures such as Didier Drogba, former captain of the Ivory Coast football team and owner of E1's Team Drogba, and Rick Fox, a three-time NBA champion and CEO of Partanna. Partanna, the company responsible for pioneering the world's first building material capable of actively absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, exemplifies the innovative spirit driving E1's mission forward.
Amidst the excitement of the race, scientific experimentation was also underway. Michelle Havlik, a member of the TAJRC team, deployed hydrophones to assess the impact of electric boats on the ocean soundscape—a crucial aspect of evaluating the sustainability of future racing events.
The E1 Booth and Race event served as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of clean technologies and collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges. As the world strives towards a more sustainable future, initiatives like E1 offer hope and inspiration, demonstrating that with innovation and dedication, we can create positive change for our planet and future generations.