On June 9th, a remarkable group of six women will embark on an extraordinary adventure, covering a treacherous 2,000-mile journey around the stunning coastline of Great Britain. Led by skipper Kat Bruce, the founder of eDNA monitoring specialists NatureMetrics. NatureMetrics is a global nature intelligence technology company providing an end-to-end nature monitoring and impact reporting solution.
The pioneering NatureMetrics founder and her team will not only displaying their athletic prowess but also demonstrate their deep commitment to environmental responsibility. The annual event, which first set sail in 2005 from London’s iconic Tower Bridge, is more than just a demanding maritime challenge— for Bruce, it’s a significant scientific expedition. Throughout the challenge, the team will collect crucial environmental data, including metrics on microplastics, biodiversity, ocean acoustics, and temperature variations. This valuable information will contribute to ongoing research initiatives led by the University of Portsmouth, ultimately enhancing our understanding of marine ecosystems and the impact of human activities on these fragile areas.
For Bruce, this is not her first time participating in the GB Row Challenge. In 2022, she sailed with Team Albatross, alongside renowned rower Andy Triggs-Hodge, a triple Olympic gold medallist, and William de Laszlo, the founder of GB Row. This year, Bruce has assembled an all-female crew named “Sea Change”, which includes a diverse range of members such as Net Zero Consultant Aoife Luscombe and PhD student Laura Fantuzzi. Together, this team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, particularly in the field of sustainability. Their collective efforts aim to promote inclusivity in environmental activism and emphasise the significance of diverse perspectives in advancing sustainability.
Over the past year, the UK has seen a number of unprecedented weather events. From record-breaking heat waves to severe flooding incidents, data from the Met Office indicates that the UK’s ten warmest years have all happened since 2002, with a clear trend of rising temperatures and more erratic weather patterns.
Globally, the global average carbon dioxide reached a new record high in 2023. This, in turn, influences weather patterns and contributes to rising sea levels and increased coastal erosion—challenges that are particularly poignant for an island nation such as the UK.
Looking ahead, the situation remains concerning. Projections suggest that without significant mitigation efforts, the UK can expect further increases in average temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and substantial economic impacts. According to the Committee on Climate Change, by 2050, the UK needs to prepare for several degrees of warming, more widespread flooding, and severe disruption to ecosystems and biodiversity.
Internationally, scientists warn that if global temperatures rise by more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—a threshold likely to be breached in the coming decades—the consequences will be even more severe, from massive loss of biodiversity to critical shortages of freshwater.
Commenting on their upcoming feat, NatureMetrics founder, Bruce said: “It’s an immense privilege to be taking on this challenge for the second time – to have another chance to experience this incredible coastline and all its natural wealth. It’s an even greater privilege to be sharing it with such a phenomenal team of women. We each bring different perspectives on tackling environmental challenges, with our day jobs ranging from scientific research to environmental technology to helping businesses on their journey to net zero.
Through our journey we aim to use our voices and professional experience to inspire individuals and businesses to take action for our oceans, and to shine a light on the many initiatives that are already showing how nature can be restored and allowed to flourish.”
As the women of the “Sea Change” crew highlight the importance of environmental stewardship, businesses too have a pivotal role in ensuring a sustainable future. By taking proactive steps towards sustainability, businesses can help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and lead by example in the transition to a greener economy.
