Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities
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.
Read more → (20 minute read)
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.
Read more → (20 minute read)
Hannah Friedman, Closed Loop Ventures Group & Internal Research Lead BrightTalk GreenMoney Plastics & Pollution
As part of our Advancing Circular Systems for Plastics & Packaging Initiative, Closed Loop Partners published Navigating Plastic Alternatives in a Circular Economy to demystify the rapidly growing and evolving landscape of plastic alternatives, with a focus on bio-based plastics, biopolymers and compostable products and packaging.
Read more → (more than an hour read)
Dr. Kimberly Warner, Elizabeth Linske, Patrick Mustain, Melissa Valliant and Christy Leavitt, Oceana Plastics & Pollution
In 2019, news outlets across the world reported on a beaked whale that died after ingesting more than 88 pounds of plastic. It had starved, and its digestive acid, unable to break down the compacted mass filling its stomach, had begun eating away at the animal from the inside out. But not all incidents like this make the news.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
The United States prioritizes responsible and sound environmental policies, both at home and abroad. Various agencies throughout the federal government are leading global efforts to prevent and remove litter from entering our oceans.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
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.
Read more → (more than an hour read)
Denise M. Mitrano & Wendel Wohlleben, Nature Communications Plastics & Pollution
The presence of plastic in the environment has sparked discussion amongst scientists, regulators and the general public as to how industrialization and consumerism is shaping our world. Here we discuss restrictions on the intentional use of primary microplastics: small solid polymer particles in applications ranging from agriculture to cosmetics.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
K. Kvale et al., Nature: Scientific Reports Plastics & Pollution
Every year, about four percent of the plastic waste generated worldwide ends up in the ocean. What happens to the plastic there is poorly understood, though a growing body of evidence suggests it is rapidly spreading throughout the global ocean.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
Winnie W. Y. Lau et al., Science Plastics & Pollution
Plastic pollution is a pervasive and growing problem. To estimate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce plastic pollution, we modeled stocks and flows of municipal solid waste and four sources of microplastics through the global plastic system for five scenarios between 2016 and 2040.
Read more → (21 minute read)
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.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
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.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
OECD, multiple co-authors Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism
Adopting more sustainable ways of managing the ocean is a global priority: protecting its health will bring benefits to all.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
Vito Buonsante, Oceana Plastics & Pollution
The Canadian government must act now to ban harmful single-use plastics. Canada can do its part to end the plastic disaster and create a healthier future for our oceans.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
Susan Ruffo and Ellen Martin, The Circulate Initiative Plastics & Pollution
We reviewed the existing landscape for ocean plastic metrics and tools in collaboration with a multisectoral group of experts to identify key trends and gaps in data and methods as well as opportunities to continue advance the field.
Read more → (15 minute read)
Katsiaryna Pabortsava & Richard S. Lampitt, Nature Communications Plastics & Pollution
The mass-imbalance between the plastic litter supplied to and observed in the ocean currently suggests a missing sink. However, here we show that the ocean interior conceals high loads of small-sized plastic debris which can balance and even exceed the estimated plastic inputs into the ocean since 1950.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
The Economist Group, World Ocean Initiative BrightTalk Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture GreenMoney Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism
Drawing on the latest data and in-depth interviews with leading experts in government, business, finance and conservation, this report provides valuable insights for all stakeholders working to achieve a sustainable ocean economy.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
Manaswita Konar and Helen Ding Secretariat of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, World Resources Institute Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism
The ocean faces urgent environmental challenges, but taking action to protect oceanbased ecosystems and ensuring the environmental sustainability of ocean-based activities will help deliver a whole host of benefits to society. The key question is how these benefits compare to the costs of action.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
Rudolph TB., et al., Nature Communications Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism
A new relationship between humanity and the ocean is required to secure the continuity of the diverse life support roles provided by the sea. Ocean governance faces the challenge of reflecting the multi-dimensional and interconnected role that the ocean plays in environmental health, economic prosperity and human well-being including justice and equity.
Read more → (more than 30 minute read)
Teresa Fenn et al., WWF Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism
Our study attempts to value the economic benefits of an “ocean recovery” scenario based on ambitious action in these four areas between now and 2050, compared to what would happen if current trends continue. But these values are an underestimate: we haven’t attempted to model all the potential benefits, and of course it’s impossible to assign an economic value to the joys and delights our seas give us.
Read more → (more than an hour read)
Nicholas Walton Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism
The ocean has great potential to become a solution, but only if there's the political will to build a strong ocean economy.
Read more → (2 minute read)
