Tag: Ocean Conservancy

World’s First Global, Legally Binding Carbon Tax to Slash Emissions, Safeguard Ocean

Stuart Mitchell

The world’s first-ever global, legally binding carbon price—for any industry—is on the table for adoption at the upcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting from October 14-17 in London. If the IMO Net-Zero Framework is adopted, all large ships operating globally, including cruise ships, would be required to slash emissions by 17% by 2028—with increasing emission reduction targets thereafter—or pay a fee. Currently, the global shipping industry runs on some of the dirtiest fossil fuels and accounts for 3% of global carbon emissions—polluting the ocean and imperiling the health of people in…

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

Stuart Mitchell

At a ministerial-level New York City Climate Week event last month, Chile, the UK and Madagascar 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…

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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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