Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

Marine Spatial Planning and the Sustainable Blue Economy

UNESCO-IOC

As Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) emerges around the world as a practical tool for promoting a more rational use of the ocean, it could also play a significant role in promoting the rapid and environmentally sound development of ocean-based activities and growth of the Blue Economy.

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Marine Energy in the United States: An Overview of Opportunities

Kilcher, L., Fogarty, M. and Lawson, M., National Renewable Energy Laboratory Energy Solutions

This report summarizes the best available data on U.S. marine energy resources at the national, state, and regional scales. Results are primarily based on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded marine energy resource assessments for wave, tidal currents, ocean currents, ocean thermal gradients, and river currents.

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Advancing Sustainable Development and Protected Area Management with Social Media-Based Tourism Data

Arkema, K.K. et al., Sustainability Tourism

Sustainable tourism involves increasingly attracting visitors while preserving the natural capital of a destination for future generations. 

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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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Sustainable Bonds Insight 2021

Ahren Lester, Environmental Finance

This year's edition contains 14 chapters from leading institutions in the green, social and sustainability bond markets analysing the main developments in 2020 and the outlook for 2021. These contributions are supplemented by graphics and data from the EF Bond Database.

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Effects of depth-cycling on nutrient uptake and biomass production in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera

Navarrete, I.A. et al., Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews Fisheries & Aquaculture

Seasonal or chronic nutrient limitations in the photic zone limit large-scale cultivation of seaweed (macroalgae) in much of the world's oceans, hindering the development of macroalgae as a biofuel feedstock. One possible solution is to supply nutrients using a diel depth-cycling approach, physically moving the macroalgae between deep nutrient-rich water at night and shallow depths within the photic zone during the day.

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Harnessing aquaculture for healthy diets

Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition Fisheries & Aquaculture

This brief sets out the contribution that aquaculture can make to healthy diets and resilient food systems. It provides guidance for policymakers as they consider decisions related to the expansion of aquaculture, balancing issues related to diets and food security, economic growth and employment, and the environment.

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Accelerating Sustainable Seafood: Webinar

United Nations Global Compact Fisheries & Aquaculture

Weren’t able to attend the Accelerating Sustainable Seafood webinar? Find out about its key outcomes.

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Accelerating Sustainable Seafood

United Nations Global Compact Fisheries & Aquaculture

Puts forward six key enablers which could be advanced by all systemic shapers to accelerate the sustainable development of the seafood industry - from unlocking sustainable finance and ratifying international conventions, to moving beyond data disclosure, rewarding progress, and incorporating wider food system dimensions into both policy and sustainability-related services.

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Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing

Savoca, M.S. et al., Global Change Biology Plastics & Pollution

Plastic pollution has pervaded almost every facet of the biosphere, yet we lack an understanding of consumption risk by marine species at the global scale.

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Report on the Ocean Acidification Crisis in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Ocean Acidification Commission Fisheries & Aquaculture

Since the industrial revolution, the world’s oceans have become increasingly acidic. The main drivers of ocean acidification in Massachusetts are (1) global increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide resulting from anthropogenic emissions, and (2) local nutrient pollution leading to the eutrophication of coastal waters.

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Three decades of trace element sediment contamination: The mining of governmental databases and the need to address hidden sources for clean and healthy seas

Richir, J. et al., Environment International Shipping & Ports

Trace elements (TEs) frequently contaminate coastal marine sediments with many included in priority chemical lists or control legislation. These, improved waste treatment and increased recycling have fostered the belief that TE pollution is declining. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of long-term robust datasets to support this confidence.

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The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review

HM Treasury

Economics is a discipline that shapes decisions of the utmost consequence, and so matters to us all. The Dasgupta Review at last puts biodiversity at its core and provides the compass that we urgently need. In doing so, it shows us how, by bringing economics and ecology together, we can help save the natural world at what may be the last minute – and in doing so, save ourselves.

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The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review -- Abridged Version

HM Treasury

Economics is a discipline that shapes decisions of the utmost consequence, and so matters to us all. The Dasgupta Review at last puts biodiversity at its core and provides the compass that we urgently need. In doing so, it shows us how, by bringing economics and ecology together, we can help save the natural world at what may be the last minute – and in doing so, save ourselves.

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The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review -- Headline Messages

HM Treasury

Our economies, livelihoods and well-being all depend on our most precious asset: Nature.

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The Rising Tide: Mapping Ocean Finance for a New Decade

UNEP FI

The Rising Tide report maps the current state of ocean finance revealing trends in lending, underwriting and investment activities which impact the ocean.

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A Sea of Plastics Claims and Credits: Steering Stakeholders Towards Impact

The Circulate Initiative Plastics & Pollution

As more companies and governments make commitments to address plastic pollution, several plastic offset claims and credit schemes have emerged.

We reviewed the current landscape of standards, certifications and credit programs to assess the strengths and weaknesses of current programs and whether they are equipped to help buyers meet their impact objectives.

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Plastics 101: Blue Economy Opportunities and Considerations to Reduce Ocean  Plastics

Vanessa Fajans-Turner Plastics & Pollution

Plastics are the most common form of marine debris. They originate with a variety of land and ocean-based sources across industries; enter the water in many ways; and negatively impact the ocean and Great Lakes. Once in the water, plastic debris never fully biodegrades.

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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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