Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

5 Reasons the US Should Cut its GHG Emissions in Half by 2030

Greg Carlock and Dan Lashof, World Resources Institute Energy Solutions

Climate change already affects millions of Americans, from worsening asthma and other respiratory problems to spurring destructive and costly hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves and other extreme weather. 

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Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

President Joseph R. Biden Jr., The White House Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

The United States and the world face a profound climate crisis. We have a narrow moment to pursue action at home and abroad in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of that crisis and to seize the opportunity that tackling climate change presents.

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Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience

Manish Bapna, et al., Global Commission on Adaptation / World Resources Institute Energy Solutions

The Global Commission on Adaptation's landmark report, Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience, puts forward a bold vision for how to transform key systems to be more resilient and productive. Report authors found that adaptation can produce significant economic returns — from 2:1 to 10:1 — as well as numerous social and environmental benefits.

The report, co-authored by WRI, laid the foundation for the Commission's Year of Action and many of the announcements made at the Climate Adaptation Summit.

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Marine unProtected Areas: A case for a just transition to ban bottom trawl and dredge fishing in offshore Marine Protected Areas

Frith Dunkley & Jean-Luc Solandt, Marine Conservation Society Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

The study examined fishing effort in all Marine Protected Areas (Special Areas of Conservation, Marine Conservation Zones and nature conservation Marine Protected Areas, hereafter collectively referred to as MPAs) in UK offshore waters (beyond 12 nautical miles) designated to protect the seabed, and the implications for biodiversity recovery and carbon storage.

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Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: A Vision for Protection, Production and Prosperity

The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

We have a collective opportunity and responsibility to protect and restore the health of our ocean, and build a sustainable ocean economy that can provide food, empower coastal communities, power our cities, transport our people and goods and provide innovative solutions to global challenges.

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Seagrasses provide a novel ecosystem service by trapping marine plastics

Anna Sanchez-Vidal et al., Scientific Reports, Nature Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

There is strong evidence that the seafloor constitutes a final sink for plastics from land sources. There is also evidence that part of the plastics lying on the shallow seafloor are washed up back to the shoreline. However, little is known on the natural trapping processes leading to such landwards return.

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Net Zero Carbon Cities: An Integrated Approach

Jacob Corvidae et al., World Economic Forum Energy Solutions

Cities cover 3% of the earth’s land surface yet they create more than 70% of all carbon emissions. To keep global temperature increases to 1.5°C or below, cities have to achieve net-zero. This report provides a global framework and recommends an integrated energy approach, defined as “systemic efficiency”, as a solution to the current environmental, economic, health and social crises.

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Innovation Outlook: Ocean Energy Technologies

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Energy Solutions

This report aims to deliver holistic insights into ocean energy and its potential, outlining the steps necessary to reach commercialisation of these innovative power generating technologies.

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Aligning Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals With an Innovation Systems Roadmap for Renewable Power

Rebecca R. Hernandez, et al., Frontiers in Sustainability Energy Solutions

In this study, we use an innovation systems approach to construct a comprehensive roadmap for solar and wind energy to anticipate and improve impacts of a transition to a low carbon future in a manner ensuring climate goals and SDGs are mutually reinforcing.

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NOAA Report on the U.S. Marine Economy

Office for Coastal Management, NOAA Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

These reports examine the critically important economic contributions of the oceans and Great Lakes to the marine economy of the United States. 

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Five priorities for a sustainable ocean economy

Jane Lubchenco, Peter M. Haugan & Mari Elka Pangestu, Nature Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

Unleash the ocean’s potential to boost economies sustainably while addressing climate change, food security and biodiversity.

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Hydrogen Vs. Natural Gas For Electric Power Generation

ISTJ Investor, Seeking Alpha Energy Solutions

In this article, we are going to focus primarily on the net-zero carbon grid issue; can and will hydrogen replace natural gas for the U.S. electric grid? We will also concentrate on the most likely scenario, the use of utility scale solar power to generate hydrogen by electrolysis.

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Ocean Solutions That Benefit People, Nature and the Economy

Martin R. Stuchtey et al., The Ocean Panel Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

This report lays out the contours of a new relationship between the ocean and humanity. Building on the latest scientific research, analyses and debates from around the world, the report showcases a balanced model for ocean management that simultaneously achieves effective ocean protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity.

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Advancing Science for Sustainable Ocean Business: An Opportunity for the Private Sector

IOC-UNESCO / United Nations Global Compact Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports

Outlines the opportunities for the private sector to support the objectives of the Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030). Developed in collaboration with the UN Global Compact and IOC-UNESCO to raise the awareness of the Decade among private sector partners and draw the private sector’s attention to the key role of ocean science in building the blue economy in a sustainable manner.

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Advancing Science for Sustainable Ocean Business

UNESCO/IOC Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution

Outlines the opportunities for the private sector to support the objectives of the Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030). Developed in collaboration with the UN Global Compact and IOC-UNESCO to raise the awareness of the Decade among private sector partners and draw the private sector’s attention to the key role of ocean science in building the blue economy in a sustainable manner.

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Accelerating Energy Innovation for the Blue Economy

The Economist Intelligence Unit, World Ocean Initiative Energy Solutions

As the blue economy continues to grow, energy needs will continue to rise. At the same time, as new energy innovations emerge the potential of the blue economy to create both sustainable value and jobs can be realised through the expansion and transformation of existing markets as well as the creation of new ones.

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Coastal Development: Resilience, Restoration and Infrastructure Requirements

Andy Steven, et al., High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

This paper highlights trends in coastal behaviour and comments on the dynamics that weaken and strengthen coastlines, including infrastructure, shipping, tourism, and future development plans. The paper makes an economic and security case for resilient coastlines, examines trade-offs between restoration and infrastructure development and recommends new models for shipping and tourism.

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Blue Carbon: Mind the Gap

Beeston, M., Cuyvers, L., and Vermilye, J., Gallifrey Foundation Energy Solutions

There are robust scientific methods to measure carbon sequestration. There is substantial interest to invest in carbon sequestration projects for carbon offsets. Why has this not translated in more successful, on-the-ground blue carbon projects? The failure to resolve this puts too much at risk.

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A Sustainable and Equitable Blue Recovery to the COVID-19 Crisis

Eliza Northrop, Manaswita Konar, Nicola Frost and Elizabeth Hollaway, World Resources Institute Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports

This new Ocean Panel–commissioned report, ‘A Sustainable and Equitable Blue Recovery to the COVID-19 Crisis’, offers a timely and practical roadmap featuring five priority blue stimulus opportunities that are ripe for immediate investment of stimulus funding. For policy and financial decision-makers, these are ready-made solutions to unlock much-needed relief and resilience and build a fair, just and sustainable ocean economy fit for everyone’s future. 

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Living Planet Report 2020: Bending the Curve of Biodiversity Loss

Almond, R.E.A., Grooten M. and Petersen, T. (Eds). WWF Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

Biodiversity – the rich diversity of life on Earth – is being lost at an alarming rate. This loss effects our own health and well-being. Today, catastrophic impacts for people and the planet loom closer than ever.

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