Ocean Exploration and The Rising Blue Economy

The Blue Hour fundraiser showcased the importance of ocean exploration and energy sustainability, and the new Toyota Mirai displayed its hydrogen fuel cell technology as a sponsor of the event.

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles hosted The Blue Hour drive-in fundraiser on October 10, 2020 at the USS BattleShip Iowa in San Pedro, CA.  The unique fundraising experience showcased AltaSea's efforts to promote The Blue Economy.  Based at the Port of Los Angeles, AltaSea and the County of Los Angeles with over 75 miles of coastline are poised to be leaders in the growing Ocean "Blue" Economy.

The Blue Hour highlighted the achievements of AltaSea honorees; Dr. Bob Ballard - AltaSea Explorer Award, Dr. Ballard led the 1985 discovery of the RMS Titanic and in 1989 the battleship Bismarck.  Along with Dr. Ballard, other honorees included Avantika Vijesh - Project Blue and the AltaSea NextGen Award, and Dr. Dawn Wright - AltaSea Ocean Innovation Award.  

The Blue Hour, co-sponsored by Energy Independence Now "EIN" and the 2021 Toyota Mirai (Japanese for "future") showcased the future of clean, and sustainable energy technology.  Toyota's first production hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the Mirai produces almost zero-emissions and boasts an estimated miles per gasoline equivalent (MPGe) of 67 MPGe city, 67 MPGe hwy, and 67 MPGe combined.

The evening's call to action was clear; the future of the planet rests on a commitment to ocean exploration, conservation and sustainable energy technology.  With organizations like AltaSea and EIN, an environmental nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) the world may be able to breathe a little bit cleaner. - Ken C

The second-gen Toyota Mirai will be available in late 2020, and the drastic change to a refined sedan is fantastic. Long gone are the days of funky looking alternative fuel cars; the Mirai looks excellent.

“We have pursued making a car that customers feel like driving all the time, a car that has emotional and attractive design appeal, as well as dynamic and responsive driving performance that can bring a smile to the faces of drivers,” said Yoshikazu Tanaka, Chief Engineer of the Mirai. “I want customers to say, ‘I chose the Mirai not because it’s an FCEV, but because I really wanted this car, and it just happened to be an FCEV.’”

What do you think about the design of the new Mirai? I think Toyota’s recent styling is going in the right direction, and the Mirai’s clean, fluid shape solidifies that. - Collin Morgan

Featured photo by Ken C.