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The Center for the Blue Economy
Waves Newsletter
January to June, 2018
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Happy World Oceans Day 2018!
Friday,
June 8th, marks the 26th World Oceans Day, as instituted by the United
Nations. This year's theme is "Clean Our Ocean," focusing on the
problem of plastic pollution. There are many actions you can take to
help: reduce your use of single use plastics (disposable forks, coffee
cups, etc.), refuse plastic straws at restaurants (encourage restaurants
to move to paper straws), recycle, and participate in neighborhood
clean ups. We are doing our part by working with Think Beyond Plastic,
a local innovation hub, engaging three students to work with them this
summer on the plastic pollution issue in the Bay Islands of Honduras.
More generally, we are using the tool of economics to show business and
policymakers that a healthy ocean and pristine coastline is good for
business, and good for long-term human health and prosperity. Thanks
for caring about the oceans!
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Wear Blue for the Oceans on June 9
On Saturday, June 9, 2018,
join the March for the Ocean in Washington D.C., join one of many
simultaneous marches, flotillas, and water celebrations across the
country and Wear Blue for the Ocean!
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New Report Assesses Mid-Atlantic Coast's Economic Vulnerability to Climate Change
The
Center for the Blue Economy, in collaboration with Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute has published a first-of-its-kind report for The
Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) examining
Mid-Atlantic vulnerabilities of several critical economic sectors to
climate change. The report quantifies the potential impacts of threats
like sea level rise, rising ocean temperatures and changes in the
ocean’s chemistry to communities and businesses in 63 counties and
independent cities along the coast from New York to Virginia.
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New Report on Regional Economic Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise in San Diego
One
of the consequences of climate change and sea level rise that has not
been extensively examined is potential damage to regional economies.
Most studies have focused on possible damages to individual properties,
but looking at future flood risks in future dollars at the regional
economic level is a new approach. The San Diego Regional Climate
Collaborative engaged the Center for the Blue Economy of the Middlebury
Institute of International Studies to investigate the potential effects
from climate change and projected sea level rise and coastal storms on
the economy of San Diego County. The stakes are high, as San Diego
County is the 17th largest metropolitan area in the country and the 5th
largest in California. San Diego County has a Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) that is larger than 25 other U.S. states.
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Meet the 2018 Center for the Blue Economy
Summer Fellows
Each
year as the summer begins, we get the pleasure of telling the stories
of our Center for the Blue Economy Summer Fellows and Honorary
Fellows. These are students addressing real-world projects that
positively impact our oceans and coasts. Here is just a sample of their
work:
- tackling ocean plastic pollution from the side of business, policy, and behavior design
- advancing the social, economic and environmental sustainability of Monterey Bay fisheries
- developing economic models and behavior design models for coral reef conservation
- researching “sense of place,” or how people connect to national marine sanctuaries
- strategizing to make ocean freight more sustainable
- empowering local communities with economic incentives to restore and protect mangrove forests
We look forward to hearing more “on-the-ground” stories from these amazing fellows in their blogs!
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Environmental Policy Professor Kristina Gjerde Wins 2018 Ocean Visionary Award
The Boat International
award write-up cites Gjerde’s work with the Sargasso Sea Alliance,
which she co-founded in 2010, to “ensure legal protection for fragile
ecosystems and provide insight to aid the establishment of other Marine
Protected Areas,” as well as her roles as a professor at the Middlebury
Institute and as senior high seas adviser to the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature’s Global Marine.
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Combining Passion for Environment with Advocacy
In
addition to being a Center for the Blue Economy Summer Fellow
protecting mangroves in Colombia, Sam Blakesley (MAEIP "19) was featured
in a MIIS newsroom article earlier this year for his volunteer work
with Surfriders. He met with 10 California congressmen and senators or
their staff, lobbying against offshore drilling and asking local
representatives to continue ocean-related funding, which had been cut
from the EPA.
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Congratulations to Erich Pacheco (MAIEP "13) new Director of the Ocean Health Index at Conservation International
The
OHI is the first assessment tool that scientifically compares and
combines key elements from all dimensions of the ocean’s health –
biological, physical, economic and social. The Index provides leaders
with the portfolio of information they need to promote a more
sustainable human-ocean ecosystem, and sets a standard of measurement to
continually inform decision-making and positively impact ocean health
and human well-being. Congratulations to Erich in his new role as
Director of the OHI, supporting effective ocean management throughout
the world, from China to Colombia, from New Caledonia to Brazil.
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About the Center for the Blue Economy
The "Blue Economy"
comprises the economic activities and supporting institutions,
relationships, and choices that create sustainable wealth from the
world’s oceans and coasts. The Center for the Blue Economy examines ways
that ocean and coastal resources can support economic development that
provide decent livelihoods and maintains, restores, and enhances the
critical coastal and marine ecosystems that provide the foundations for
human wellness and prosperity.
Our Mission: Leadership in research, education, and analysis to promote a sustainable ocean and coastal economy (the Blue Economy)
Give and Help us Meet Our Mission:
When you donate to the Center for the Blue Economy you’ll be
supporting timely research on ocean economics, robust course offerings
and opportunities for graduate students, and open access to valuable
data. Make an impact, donate today!
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