Tag: Ocean Conservancy

Chile, UK and Madagascar Join Global Effort to Put the Ocean at the Center of National Climate Plans

Stuart Mitchell

Recently, at a ministerial-level New York City Climate Week event, Chile and the UK committed to the Blue NDC Challenge, underscoring both the economic and environmental value of protecting the ocean. The initiative urges coastal nations to integrate ocean-focused actions into their climate plans – nationally determined contributions (NDCs) – ahead of COP30. The NDCs are the cornerstone of global climate action under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), serving as investment plans and the primary tool for limiting global warming. With these new members, the Blue NDC…

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Surfing World Champion John John Florence Joins Ocean Conservancy’s Protect Where We Play Campaign

Stuart Mitchell

Ocean Conservancy has announced that three-time world champion surfer and sailing aficionado John John Florence — a long-time advocate of ocean conservation born and raised in Hawaii — has joined the Protect Where We Play initiative as a “Team Ocean Captain” to rally fans worldwide to protect our ocean. “It’s an honor to join the Protect Where We Play initiative, and to partner with Ocean Conservancy, who have an incredible 50-plus-year history of protecting our ocean,” said Mr. Florence. “The ocean has been my life’s greatest gift, and it’s my…

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20 Years After Katrina – Don’t Dismantle the Hurricane Forecasting Machine that Saves Lives

Stuart Mitchell

Since Hurricane Katrina, America’s hurricane forecasts have become faster, sharper, and better at saving lives, improving by roughly 50%. But the engine behind those gains–the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s integrated system of research labs, observing networks, cooperative institutes, supercomputing, and operations–faces dramatic proposed budget cuts that would slow or even reverse progress right as we’re in the midst of a predicted worse-than-normal hurricane season. Last Friday, August 29 marked the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in Louisiana. “NOAA saves lives. Period.” said Jeff Watters, Vice President of…

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Gainbridge Fieldhouse Brings Reusable Cups to AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend for Plastic Free July

Stuart Mitchell

Ocean Conservancy and its partner GOAL have announced the addition of Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the “Protect Where We Play Tour,” a partnership to reduce the plastic footprint of GOAL Member venues by deploying a reusable cup program during concerts and sporting events. Coinciding with Plastic Free July, Gainbridge Fieldhouse implemented the reusable cup program as part of AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend, marking the first time a WNBA All-Star Game has featured fully-reusable cups in lieu of single-use plastic ones. Ocean Conservancy’s Protect Where We Play Initiative aims to rally sports…

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New Ocean Conservancy Report: 90% of States Lagging in Plastic Pollution Efforts

Stuart Mitchell

During last months Plastic Free July, Ocean Conservancy launched a new report, United States of Plastics, that analyzes state-level efforts to combat plastic pollution on a five-point scale. On average, U.S. states scored 1.5 stars, or “needs improvement,” with 44 out of 50 states and D.C. scoring below 3 stars. “Overall, the results are disappointing,” said Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Plastics Policy, Dr. Anja Brandon. “Four in five Americans consider plastic pollution to be the most pressing issue facing our ocean, yet only six states ranked as ‘good’ or above…

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