Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

Business for Ocean Sustainability

One Ocean Foundation BrightTalk Energy Solutions ESG Fisheries & Aquaculture GreenMoney Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

The ocean matters and has widespread implications beyond the ocean itself.

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‘We Need to Protect the Ocean Before it’s Too Late’

Gitika Bhardwaj and Karen Sack

President and CEO of Ocean Unite, Karen Sack, speaks to Gitika Bhardwaj about why the first global treaty to protect the world’s ocean is urgently needed.

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Defining and Measuring the U.S. Ocean Economy

Bureau of Economic Analysis - U.S. Department of Commerce

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has developed prototype statistics to measure the ocean’s contribution to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

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The Business Case for Marine Protection and Conservation

Friends of Ocean Action Impact Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

Friends of Ocean Action Impact Report: The Business Case for Marine Protection and Conservation

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The A-Z of the Energy Transition: Knowns and Unknowns

World Economic Forum Energy Solutions

In collaboration with the Global Future Council on Energy 2019-2020

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Finding Plastic Patches in Coastal Waters using Optical Satellite Data

Biermann, L., et al., Nature Plastics & Pollution

Satellites collecting optical data offer a unique perspective from which to observe the problem of plastic litter in the marine environment, but few studies have successfully demonstrated their use for this purpose.

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The Ocean Genome: Conservation and the Fair, Equitable and Sustainable Use of Marine Genetic Resources

Blasiak, R., R. Wynberg, K. Grorud-Colvert, S. Thambisetty, et al., World Resources Institute

This paper considers the existing and potential benefits associated with the ocean genome, the threats it is facing, and the crucial importance of conservation to maintain the ocean’s genetic diversity. The paper also explores how efforts to promote inclusive innovation and better governance can contribute to more equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of marine genetic resources.

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Increasing finance for a healthy ocean

The Friends of Ocean Action BrightTalk Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture GreenMoney Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

The Ocean Finance Handbook, is a guide to support an increase in finance flowing towards the sustainable blue economy. The Handbook provides a key resource to enhance understanding of finance for a healthy ocean and generate conversations between financial institutions and marine-based businesses, conservation professionals and ocean project managers.

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Sailing on Solar: Could green ammonia decarbonise international shipping?

Nick Ash & Tim Scarbrough, Environmental Defense Fund Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

Green ammonia is a technically feasible solution for decarbonising international shipping. 

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UN body adopts climate change strategy for shipping

International Maritime Organization Shipping & Ports

Nations meeting at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London have adopted an initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, setting out a vision to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and phase them out, as soon as possible in this century. 

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Ecosystem services approach for community-based ecotourism: towards an equitable and sustainable blue economy

Anna (Anya) Phelan

This paper examines the role of community-based ecotourism within the developing market dynamics of the blue economy. 

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A Path to Creating the First Generation of High Seas Protected Areas

Pew Research Center Tourism

Science-based method highlights 10 sites that would help safeguard biodiversity beyond national waters

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Integrating oceans into climate policy: Any green new deal needs a splash of blue

Dundas, S.J., et al., Conservation Letters/ Wiley Periodicals

Recent warnings from scientists suggest there is limited time to enact policies to avert wide-ranging ecological and social damage from climate change. In the United States, discussions about comprehensive national policies to avert climate change have begun, with “Green New Deal” proposals and climate plans put forth by members of Congress and presidential candidates. Oceans are largely absent or separate from these nascent policy proposals.

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Banking on Climate Change: Fossil Fuel Finance Report 2020

Rainforest Action Network

For the banks highlighted in this report, the last year has brought a groundswell of activism demanding banks cut their fossil fuel financing, at the same time that increasingly extreme weather events have further underscored the urgency of the climate crisis. 

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Blue Infrastructure Finance: A new approach, integrating Nature-based Solutions for coastal resilience

Thiele, T. et al., IUCN

All coastal and marine ecosystems are critical to human well-being and global biodiversity. Mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds are examples of these. But urban and rural infrastructure investments are having a heavy negative impact on these systems, and it is increasing over time.

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LA’s “Blue Economy” Represents a Major Jobs, Wage and Tax Revenue Driver

LAEDC and Altasea Shipping & Ports

Conservative estimates indicate that the value of the blue economy will double over the next decade, with a projected global value of $3 trillion by 2030.

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A high biodiversity mitigates the impact of ocean acidification on hard-bottom ecosystems

Eugenio Rastelli, Bruna Petani, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Antonio Dell’Anno, Marco Lo Martire, Carlo Cerrano & Roberto Danovaro

Given the climate change scenarios predicted for the future, we conclude that biodiversity conservation of hard-bottom ecosystems is fundamental also for mitigating the impacts of ocean acidification.

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Ammonia: zero-carbon fertiliser, fuel and energy store

The Royal Society Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

Ammonia is a suitable fuel for transport modes where large amounts of energy are required for extended periods of time and where batteries or direct electrical connection are not practical or cost effective. Examples include heavy good vehicles, trains, aviation and shipping.

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The Blue Economy and the United Nations’ sustainable development goals: Challenges and opportunities

Lee, KH et al., Environment International Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports Tourism

The “Blue Economy (BE)” is an increasingly popular concept as a strategy for safeguarding the world’s oceans and water resources. It may emerge when economic activity is in balance with the long term capacity of ocean ecosystems to support the activity in a sustainable manner.

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The Blue Acceleration: The Trajectory of Human Expansion into the Ocean

Jouffray, J.P. et al., One Earth

Does humanity's future lie in the ocean? As demand for resources continues to grow and land-based sources decline, expectations for the ocean as an engine of human development are increasing.

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