Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

Japan unveils green growth plan for 2050 carbon neutral goal

• Editorial Staff, Science X • Energy Solutions

Japan on Friday unveiled plans to boost renewable energy, phase out gasoline-powered cars and reduce battery costs as part of a bid to reach an ambitious 2050 carbon-neutral goal.

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How Seaweed and Sustainable Solutions Are Alleviating Poverty

• Angelica Smyrnios, Borgen Magazine • Fisheries & Aquaculture

In the United Nations’ latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) conference, the global eradication of poverty in all its forms was identified as the first goal that must be achieved by 2030. As a subcategory of this goal, the U.N. added that it is necessary to reduce the exposure of affected populations “to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters” as disadvantaged populations are particularly vulnerable to the environment.

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How China is applying ecological engineering techniques in pond aquaculture

• Megan Howell, The Fish Site • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Such methods can dramatically reduce water use, feed use, disease, medication and nutrient effluents in wastewater, while increasing yields and survival rates, according to a new paper in Reviews in Aquaculture.

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Brexit deal eyes 'ambitious' EU-UK renewables and climate cooperation

• Andrew Lee, Recharge • Energy Solutions

EU Commission says two sides will pursue 'mutual interest' in energy cooperation, including in North Sea.

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Congress sets sights on climate change in Covid relief bill

• Greg Iacurci, CNBC • Energy Solutions

The coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress toughens rules around use of a common heat-trapping chemical and funnels billions of dollars into renewable energy.

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It's electrifying! This is how Earth could be entirely powered by sustainable energy

• Editorial Staff, Science Daily • Energy Solutions

The newly published research, led by Professor James Ward from the University of South Australia and co-authored by a team including Luca Coscieme from Trinity College Dublin, explains how a renewable future is achievable.

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Outrage after judgement in favour of the Norwegian oil state

• Greenpeace International • Energy Solutions • Plastics & Pollution

Today the Supreme Court of Norway ruled in the People Vs Arctic Oil court case where environmental and youth organisations have sued the Norwegian State for opening up for new oil drilling in the Arctic. The judgment was uneven, with four judges believing that the oil licenses in the Arctic should be invalid for climate reasons, but the majority voted in favour of the Norwegian state.

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Why the finance sector needs to catch the blue wave

• Eric Usher, World Ocean Initiative • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports • Tourism

Eric Usher, head of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), calls for a transformational shift in private finance to regenerate ocean health.

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Could Seaweed Help Save Us From Climate Catastrophe?

• Nadra Nittle, HuffPost • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Perhaps the most promising solution for reducing bovines’ release of this powerful planet-warming gas? Feeding cows seaweed.

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How to foster talent for a sustainable ocean economy

• World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports • Tourism

A recent webinar discussed solutions that businesses, academic institutions and governments can implement to equip people with the skills they will need to enjoy thriving careers in marine industries in the future.

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Seaweed industry stays afloat, seeks growth during pandemic

• The Independent • Fisheries & Aquaculture

The coronavirus pandemic has been a struggle for much of American seafood but at least one sector of the industry has found a way to grow during the crisis — the seaweed business.

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Report Outlines How US Could Reach 50% Renewables by 2030

• Jeff St. John, Green Tech Media • Energy Solutions

Biden administration actions could double renewables by 2030, but new laws will be needed to achieve greater gains, Wood Mackenzie finds.

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Exclusive: A $5 billion foundation literally founded on oil money is saying goodbye to fossil fuels

• Matt Egan, CNN Business • Energy Solutions • Plastics & Pollution

The Rockefeller Foundation, a 107-year-old philanthropy built by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, is breaking up with fossil fuels in an effort to save the planet.

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How bond markets can prevent overfishing

• World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group

Can blue bonds be used to compensate fishers for reducing catches before stocks are overfished beyond recovery? The idea faces many challenges, but solutions must be found.

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Seaweed 101: The Potential of Seaweed Aquaculture in the Blue Economy

• Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Investable Oceans • Fisheries & Aquaculture

For many North Americans, direct interaction with seaweed products has largely been limited to sushi and high-end beauty products. No longer. Over the last decade, seaweed cultivation has emerged as an area of growth and innovation, with applications ranging widely from culinary to climate solutions.

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Ocean Changemakers Challenge: The next wave of innovators

• World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports • Tourism

The Ocean Changemakers Challenge aims to showcase innovators working to develop business solutions to ocean-related sustainability challenges. It is aimed at early-career researchers or professionals. Entries will close at 11.59 PM (GMT) on February 5th 2021.

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How Can Shipping Decarbonise? A New Infographic Highlights What It'd take to Decarbonise Shipping by 2050

• UMAS • Energy Solutions • Shipping & Ports

The infographic shows the deep emission cuts that will be needed to meet the IMO GHG targets and demonstrates that energy efficiency measures, whilst important, will not be sufficient on their own.

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Wind plus solar to outstrip global gas plant by 2023 off 'sprightly' post-Covid growth

• Darius Snieckus, Recharge • Energy Solutions

Report from IHS Markit calculates $1.3trn will go into clean-energy by 2025 as renewables surge to account for 18% of worldwide electricity supply.

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The Oldest Forest

• Lucy Jakub, The New York Review • Fisheries & Aquaculture

The promise and pitfalls of commercializing kelp.

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In Boost for Renewables, Grid-Scale Battery Storage Is on the Rise

• Cheryl Katz, Yale Environment 360 • Energy Solutions

Driven by technological advances, facilities are being built with storage systems that can hold enough renewable energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes. The advent of “big battery” technology addresses a key challenge for green energy — the intermittency of wind and solar.

Read more → (9 minute read)