| Kristal Ambrose | |
| Citizenship: | Bahamian |
| Alma Mater: | Gannon University (BA) Dalhousie University (MS) |
| Occupation: | Marine biologist, environmental activist |
| Awards: | Goldman Environmental Prize (2020), Environmental Youth Leader Award (2014) |
| Website: | https://www.kristalambrose.com |
Kristal Ambrose is a Bahamian marine biologist and environmental activist.[1] In 2013, she founded the Bahamas Plastic Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing plastic pollution.[2]
Ambrose's passion for conserving marine life began due to experiences she had in her early life. She would go swimming every day with her father and later worked at an aquarium.[3] Ambrose studied Fisheries Management and Aquaculture at Hocking College and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Gannon University. She also has a Master of Science in Marine Affairs from Dalhousie University.[4] Ambrose began studying for a Doctor of Philosophy at the World Maritime University in 2020.[5] [6] Her doctoral thesis is entitled "Contextual Barriers Facing Caribbean SIDS in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution: Assessing the need for harmonised marine debris monitoring and contextual equity to support participation in the global plastics treaty negotiations by Caribbean SIDS".[7]
In 2013, Ambrose began working on a citizen science initiative called the Plastic Beach Project, studying the amount of plastic on beaches.[3] In 2014, she started a summer camp to educate young people about plastic pollution.[8] Alongside the Plastic Pollution Education and Ocean Conservation Camp, Ambrose also runs a Junior Plastic Warriors Environmental Program.[3] Ambrose is the founder of the Bahamas Plastic Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing plastic pollution.
In April 2018, Ambrose successfully convinced the government of the Bahamas to ban single-use plastic bags, straws, cutlery, and expanded polystyrene cups and containers. The nationwide ban came into effect in January 2020.[9] She gained international recognition for her efforts to combat plastic pollution in the Bahamas, culminating in her receipt of the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2020.[10] Ambrose's initiatives have notably engaged local youth in environmental advocacy.[11]