Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

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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The Human Relationship with Our Ocean Planet

Allison, E.H., et al., Ocean Panel / WRI

This paper applies a historical lens to illustrate the differing economic, legal, institutional, social and cultural relationships people of varying cultures have with the ocean.

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Sustainable Ocean for All: Harnessing the Benefits of Sustainable Ocean Economies for Developing Countries

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.

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Drowning in Plastic: Ending Canada’s contribution to the global plastic disaster

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.

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Can Blue Bonds Finance a fish stock recovery?

Mosnier F. et al., Planet Tracker Fisheries & Aquaculture

The oceans cannot sustain the ongoing imbalance driven by declining wild fish stocks and rising demand. A period of restraint is needed to allow ecosystems to replenish. We outline a proposal to facilitate this with the creation of a blue bond. 

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Environmental DNA identifies marine macrophyte contributions to Blue Carbon sediments

Ortega, A. et al, ASLO

Estimation of marine macrophyte contribution to coastal sediments is key to understand carbon sequestration dynamics. Nevertheless, identification of macrophyte carbon is challenging.

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Measuring Our Success: How Better Data Can Help Keep Plastic Out of the Ocean

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.

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A Short History of Aquaculture Innovation

Jude Isabella and Shannon Hunt, Hakai Magazine Fisheries & Aquaculture

For over a century, aquaculturists have tinkered with every part of aquatic animals’ lives, from genetics to diet to where they grow best.

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The future of food from the sea

Costello et al., Nature Fisheries & Aquaculture

Here we examine the main food-producing sectors in the ocean—wild fisheries, finfish mariculture and bivalve mariculture—to estimate ‘sustainable supply curves’ that account for ecological, economic, regulatory and technological constraints.

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High concentrations of plastic hidden beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean

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.

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America’s New Climate Economy: A Comprehensive Guide to the Economic Benefits of Climate Policy in the United States

Devashree Saha and Joel Jaeger, World Resources Institute Energy Solutions

This working paper draws on the latest economic research to demonstrate how climate policy and investments in low-carbon infrastructure can reboot America’s economy and set it up for long-term success. On the other hand, delaying action on climate will further expose the United States to costly damages from climate impacts, air pollution, and public health crises.

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A sustainable ocean economy in 2030: Opportunities and challenges

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.

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A Sustainable Ocean Economy for 2050: Approximating Its Benefits and Costs

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.

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A transition to sustainable ocean governance

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.

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The Value of Restored UK Seas

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.

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What Role for Ocean-Based Renewable Energy and Deep-Seabed Minerals in a Sustainable Future?

Peter M. Haugan and Lisa A. Levin Energy Solutions

This paper examines how and to what degree energy from the ocean can contribute to the climate agenda and achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), including identifying new solutions and their potential impact, as well as addressing related safety and environmental concerns.

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What Role for Ocean-Based Renewable Energy and Deep-Seabed Minerals in a Sustainable Future?

Haugan, P.M., et al., Ocean Panel / WRI Energy Solutions

This paper examines how and to what degree energy from the ocean can contribute to the climate agenda and achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), including identifying new solutions and their potential impact, as well as addressing related safety and environmental concerns.

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PODCAST/WEBINAR: Seeing the Ocean as a Solution, Not a Victim

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. 

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Waste and  Opportunity 2020: Searching for corporate leadership

Conrad MacKerron, KellyMcBee, & David Shugar Plastics & Pollution

This study measures the progress of 50 large companies in the beverage, quick-service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and retail sectors on six core pillars where swift action is needed to reduce plastic pollution.

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