Samuel L. Jackson: "It's more urgent than ever, people!"

Iconic actor Samuel L. Jackson partners with energy company Vattenfall to unveil Wind Farmed Seaweed Snacks. He does it to showcase — in a way that only he can — the potential of offshore wind farms to not only generate fossil free electricity but also support food production that can help regenerate the marine environment.   

Would you like to read more articles like this? Sign up for THE EDIT, your monthly briefing on the journey to fossil freedom.

Offshore wind turbine

Wind power is crucial in replacing fossil fuels. Offshore wind farms can also benefit ecosystems and local communities. Vattenfall is part of a pilot project called WIN@sea, in collaboration with Danish universities and other companies, where food production and environmental monitoring linked to offshore wind farms and the concept of multi-use of space is being explored.  
  
The marine environment faces pressure from human activities, particularly in the Baltic and North Sea. Cultivating seaweed in these waters can improve water quality and support marine regeneration. Vattenfall emphasises a multi-sector approach, working with industries, academia, NGOs, and unexpected partners like Samuel L. Jackson. As someone who once studied marine biology, Samuel L. Jackson’s passion for marine life has been reignited by this project and he’s excited to challenge people’s beliefs about wind farms.   


  
In this interview Samuel L. Jackson explains why it wasn’t just his love for the ocean that drew him to this initiative. 
 
What’s so special about the snacks in this collaboration?  

Samuel L. Jackson says: “The seaweed in the Wind Farmed Seaweed Snacks is grown at a Vattenfall wind farm. It’s proof of what’s possible to do at these sites, beyond producing fossil-free electricity. And it’s some serious gourmet sh*t.”   
  
What does wind farming really mean?  

“It’s food cultivation at offshore wind farms! The seaweed in these snacks was grown on lines deployed between the wind turbines, using the area within the wind farm to do more than just generate electricity. In the future, we could see many other types of food coming from similar wind farms. Imagine that, eating food grown at the very sites that provide us with fossil-free electricity.”  
   
What do you hope people will take away from this initiative? 

“I hope people start seeing wind farms in a new light. They get some sh*t for being harmful to nature, but if you look beneath the surface, they can benefit society in many ways, beyond just providing fossil-free electricity. It’s about using ocean space smartly, growing food for harvest while also having artificial reefs that support the marine environment.”  
   
You’ve been vocal about social justice issues. Does this project align with those values or mark a new direction for you?

“The communities most affected by environmental issues are often those that have the least opportunities to do something about it. Supporting an initiative like this aligns with my belief that we need to be smart and think collectively, embracing innovative solutions to manage our resources and create a better future for all. And it’s more urgent than ever, people!”   
  
Why did you decide to get involved in this initiative?

“It’s time to get serious about solutions where fossil-free electricity production and nature can coexist, and this project with Vattenfall proves that it’s a collective effort. Many players have contributed to making this project a reality, and I’m happy to be a part of it and showcase it to the world,” he concludes.   

Note: Although the Wind Farmed Seaweed Snacks are not intended as a commercial product for sale, a limited amount has been produced for this campaign.

Up for a snack?

.Read more about the Wind Farmed Sea Weed Snacks on Vattenfall's campaign page.

See also

World War II sea mines removed from wind farm site

Sometimes the path to clean energy starts with a look into the past. Last year, the Nordlicht project's geoscience team completed a special campaign: to remove mines from the Second World Wa...

Read the full article
Drone view of Prinses Ariane wind farm on a winter's day.

Flexibility: wind power increasingly important for a stable electricity system

Technological developments are challenging old perceptions of wind power generation. Today, wind power is becoming increasingly important in delivering ancillary services that stabilise the ...

Read the full article
A man stands on snowy ground next to an electric car charging beside a red wooden building.

The future in Hudiksvall is flexible

Vehicle to grid is a process for using EV batteries for flexibility and balancing the grid. The potential is great, but where do we start? Well, maybe with a pilot project in a housing assoc...

Read the full article