Future Leader Spotlight: Marley Todd
This article is part 7 of an 8-part series featuring the experience of Bermuda’s Future Leaders at the Global Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Summer Program.
Marley Todd:
“I have developed a love for Bermuda’s marine life.”
Student Profile
Marley: My name is Marley Todd and I am 16 years old. I instantly became interested in the Global Youth Leadership Conference due to my interest in certain world issues; specifically the increasing threat of climate change caused by human activities. My passion for this issue piloted me to experience Brandon Hall and all it has to offer, including the ability to network with entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations around the world, extended research into one’s personal interests and friendships and partnerships that will last a lifetime. Personally, being aware of where I come from at all times kept me grounded in terms of completing my project and overall created a deeper found appreciation for it.
Interviewer: What did you choose as your project idea, based on an issue you’re passionate about solving?
Marley: During the course of the program, I designed the product, H2Zero, that will reverse the effects of ocean acidification due to harmful chemicals found in fertilizers and pesticides. This invention is a dissolvable tablet that is composed of calcium – carbonate ions that will look and work in a similar way to an alka seltzer tablet. H2Zero will provide the essential nutrients for marine animals such as corals, barnacles, clams, etc. as a lack of calcium – carbonate will lead to corrosion of their shells and skeletons; and ultimately effect the oceans food chains negatively.
Interviewer: Why did you choose your particular project?
Marley: Living in Bermuda my whole life has sparked a deepened love for the ocean and its marine life; this being the inspiration for my product H2Zero. I believe that climate change is a very serious problem that deserves as much attention as possible.
Interviewer: Do you plan to implement your idea? If so, what are some possible challenges to implementation?
Marley: Eventually, I plan to implement my idea in Bermuda with the right team of researchers and support necessary; however, there are possible complications that may postpone the production of my project. These complications include: my education being my main priority at the moment as well as the expenses required for such a big invention. Despite these challenges, I do plan to proceed with researching, testing and manufacturing my product and making a difference in the world, starting with Bermuda.
Interviewer: What was your overall experience at Brandon Hall School?
Marley: My overall experience at Brandon Hall School was very positive and allowed me to research this topic in depth and widen my knowledge. The various presenters at Brandon Hall inspired me to have an open mind and stressed that staying true to what you believe in will fuel your success and will help you achieve your goals. Overall, Brandon Hall was a very insightful experience.
Summary of Presentation:
The Future. As I grow older I find myself thinking about it more and more. I am 16 years old and when I graduate I want to pursue a career in medicine, specifically neurosurgery and or criminal psychology. However, with the current state of the world’s ecosystems is that even possible? My name is Marley Todd and I am the founder of H2Zero.
Everyday farmers and manufacturers spray their crops with gallons and gallons and gallons of fertilizers and pesticides. These products contain chemicals such as lead, zinc, arsenic, nitrogen and many others; as well as this, the ocean absorbs 30% of the world’s carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide and these chemicals encounter seawater, a chemical reaction occurs which lowers the pH of the ocean and negatively affects its marine life.
With my product, H2Zero, I plan to completely reverse the detrimental effects of ocean acidification and eutrophication. This small powder tablet is composed of calcium – carbonate ions that will neutralize the acidic environment of the ocean. As far as prototyping, I envision that my product will look and act in a similar way to an ‘Alka Seltzer’ tablet which many of you may be familiar with. You may be asking ‘Why calcium – carbonate?’ and the answer is quite simple. Common organisms in the ocean such as corals, clams, oysters and barnacles need this in order to develop life essentials such as shells and skeletons, with the lowering pH of the ocean these shells and skeletons are likely to corrode.
A lack of calcium – carbonate in the ocean directly affects its food chains but also indirectly affects big time industries such as tourism, fisheries and other aquaculture. H2Zero plans to provide this staple compound to prevent the downfall of these animals and industries. As far as partnerships, manufacturing and testing, I plan to partner with BIOS Bermuda [Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences], I believe that this partnership will be appropriate as I have developed a love for Bermuda’s marine life and BIOS may have the equipment required for testing and manufacturing as well as experienced researchers. As one of our many speakers, Kendall Robinson – founder of Love Rolls, says, ‘Never be afraid to dream big’. Which is why I plan to eventually have H2Zero distributed world wide. As Barack Obama once said, ‘Climate change isn’t some far off problem, it is happening here, and it is happening now’.
The full H2Zero follows below [PDF here]:
I recently watched a show on public tv that was about this very topic. It showed the effects of CO2 on the shells of sea creatures & other ways they were affected. I thought it was a very informative show. I’m happy to read this article & wish all the best to Ms. Todd in her endeavors. As the show mentioned, if we do harm to creatures at the bottom of the food chain, we don’t really know how we’ll be affected down the line. One thing is sure, it won’t be for the better.
The show was Nova – “Lethal Seas”.