Following Wet Monday—a Polish Easter tradition of playfully splashing others with water—we are staying in a water-themed atmosphere, as Łukasz Kozłowski, Frontend Developer and React expert, has taken the helm for the April edition of #SidnetDonations. Łukasz navigates code efficiently, and outside of work, he manages quite well at the helm of a sailboat. It is no wonder that when choosing the recipients of our April support, he pointed to an open-source browser built around a water-themed brand, as well as the ocean-protecting non-profit organization Sea Shepherd.
Waterfox
In an era of AI assistants serving up ready-made summaries, web browsers remain the essential tool for those who prefer to go straight to the source. However, the rise of ubiquitous AI integrations is turning modern browsers into complex ecosystems where it’s easy to lose control over your privacy.
The answer to this challenge may be Waterfox, a browser built on Firefox’s source code and developed for 15 years now by Alex Kontos. It is a raw, stripped-down program that focuses on its users’ needs. One of the creator’s core principles is avoiding the forced integration of LLMs—a trend currently sweeping through almost every industry. For a short time, Waterfox even had its own ethical search engine, Storm, which passed on commissions from purchases in partner online stores to charities.
Today, the browser comes pre-configured with helpful features, such as automatically declining cookie banners. It is also available on Android.
“Waterfox is an alternative to popular browsers, free of telemetry, with better default privacy settings, additional personalization options, and—what is most important to me—it does not force an LLM (which is a conscious choice). I use Waterfox daily, both at work and beyond,” says Łukasz.
Waterfox remains an open-source project; however, for a short period starting in 2019, it was under the control of System1—an online advertising company—which caused much controversy. In 2023, it was bought back by the creator to maintain the project’s independent character.
Sea Shepherd
Since 1977, Sea Shepherd has combined environmental education with direct-action interventions to protect the world’s oceans. To date, nearly 30 vessels have passed through its fleet, including the now-retired flagship patrol vessel Steve Irwin, named after the famous Australian naturalist known as the Crocodile Hunter. Sea Shepherd ships operate in many waters around the world, reaching even Antarctica.
The organization goes beyond simple awareness campaigns. Their fleet actively collaborates with governments worldwide to help block initiatives that violate marine protection laws. Activists document their front-line struggles, resulting in powerful films like Edge Of The World: Krill Crisis. While Sea Shepherd’s methods can be controversial, their effectiveness ensures that the destruction of marine ecosystems stays in the mainstream media spotlight.
“It is an organization that started with one ship and now has an entire fleet in the most remote parts of the world. They fight against the illegal fishing of whales, dolphins, and octopuses, among others. They expose the destructive impact of krill fishing in Antarctica, chase poachers in Mexican waters, and free animals accidentally caught in nets (so-called bycatch). Bycatch is one of the main factors devastating the oceans and stripping animals of their ecological niches. Animal protection is very important to me, and Sea Shepherd deals with an area where few dare to act,” Łukasz explains.
Anyone who cares about the health of our oceans can support Sea Shepherd. Financial donations can be sent via the website; however, help is accepted in every form: from cryptocurrency transfers and organizing fundraisers to donating vehicles or real estate—a true sea of possibilities to help.