News The latest news, comment and analysis from the Friends of Ocean Action, leaders who are fast-tracking solutions for a healthy ocean. Tom Gockelen-Kozlowski · GreenBiz 21 Jul 2022New study suggests seafood retailers can protect biodiversity and profitabilityA new report has found that an increase in seafood sustainability and greater supply chain disclosure could improve ocean health and significantly boost retailer profits. Read article Douglas McCauley and Diva Amon 21 Jul 2022The risks of deep-sea mining are not fully understood - here's why that mattersDeep-sea mining, an industry poised to start operating in 2023, could result in the dangerous loss of biodiversity and other disruptions to the deep sea. Read article Karen Scott · The Conversation 18 Jul 2022Plastic pollution and why we need to enforce global rules on fishing vesselsAs the UN supports negotiations for a plastic pollution treaty, researchers dive into existing laws that regulate plastic pollution from fishing vessels Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 13 Jul 2022'Glimpse of hope': up to 150 fin whales spotted feeding off AntarcticaResearchers have documented fin whales feeding en masse off Antarctica’s Elephant Island, a win for the 1982 ban on the practice of commercial whaling. Read article Sarah Mcfarlane · Reuters 13 Jul 2022Why shipping might be about to get a little bit slowerUpcoming rules from the IMO require shipping firms to calculate their vessels' annual carbon intensity, which could lead to slower sailing speed on older ships. Read article Gemma Parkes 08 Jul 20222022 UN Ocean Conference sets off new wave of ocean actionThe 2022 UN Ocean Conference took place in Lisbon. The global ocean community gathered to celebrate progress and push for more ambitious ocean action. Read article Tom Crowfoot 08 Jul 20225 stories on climate change you should read this weekFrom the financial value of green energy investment in Europe, to how best to talk about sustainability, these are the latest stories on climate change. Read article Joanne Bentley, Alex Pigot, Andreas L. S. Meyer , and Christopher Trisos · The Conversation 08 Jul 2022Climate crisis: Even temporarily overshooting 2°C would cause permanent damage to Earth’s speciesResearch models have found that a temporary climate overshoot would cause waves of irreversible extinctions and lasting damage to tens of thousands of species. Read article Xi Xie and Yan Li 06 Jul 2022The 16 principles that could save the oceanThe ocean is in serious decline. Only an urgent multilateral effort can halt this and preserve the ocean and the benefits it provides for future generations. Read article 05 Jul 2022China is establishing blue partnerships to scale up actions to conserve and sustainably use the oceansWith the development of Blue Partnerships, we can accelerate efforts to realize SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Read article 04 Jul 2022Here's how the 2022 UN Ocean Conference set off a new wave of global ocean actionThe global ocean community was thirsty to meet and connect again in person – to celebrate progress, and more importantly push for ever more ambitious ocean action. Find out what happened ... Read more Ken Buesseler, Margaret Leinen, Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Fei Chai, Sarah Smith, Mark Wells, and Joo-Eun Yoon 29 Jun 2022Why we need a code of conduct for ocean-based carbon dioxide removalSeas hold over 50 times the amount of CO2 than the atmosphere, so we'd be wise to look at ocean-based carbon dioxide removal to tackle climate change. Read article Linwood Pendleton and Annie Brett 29 Jun 2022To save the ocean, Web3 needs more scientists Web3 tools are being used to raise money for ocean conservation and fund ocean science, but more scientific input and analysis are needed to ensure success. Read article Shiri Krishna Gounder 28 Jun 2022A sustainable path to lasting recovery for Small Island Developing States lies in the ocean and the building of a robust blue economySmall Island Developing States like Fiji were battered by COVID-19. In a post-pandemic world, the ocean will provide them sustainable and resilient growth. Read article Peter Thomson 27 Jun 2022Why the UN Ocean Conference is a key step on the road to recovering ocean healthThe UN Ocean Conference will be focussing on the major challenges and opportunities faced by the ocean today, from overfishing to excess carbon emissions. Read article Kate Whiting 27 Jun 2022Aquaman Jason Momoa speaks up for the ocean – and other environment stories you need to read this weekTop environment stories: Aquaman's Momoa speaks out on saving the ocean; Denmark sets EU's highest carbon tax; Biodiversity loss would hit credit ratings. Read article United Nations · United Nations 24 Jun 20225 things you should know about the UN Ocean Conference, a chance to save the planet’s largest ecosystemThere are hopes UN Ocean Conference 2022, in Portugal, co-hosted by Kenya, will find solutions to the problems of sustainably managing the ocean. Read article Reuters · Reuters 22 Jun 2022The world's largest freshwater fish is discovered by villagers in CambodiaThe world's biggest freshwater fish ever recorded, a female stingray weighing in at 300kg, has been discovered by Cambodian villagers on the Mekong River. Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 17 Jun 2022World Oceans Day photo competition winners showcase the wonders of our blue planet6 winners were picked for the United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competition, as photographers from around the world captured the beauty of our blue planet. Read article 17 Jun 2022Friends of Ocean Action congratulates members of WTO for reaching historic deal to end harmful fisheries subsidies: next step must be urgent entry into force Read more Florian Zandt · Statista 15 Jun 2022Land or water: Which is home to more animals and plant life? Most living biomass is found on land, with plants accounting for four-fifths of the total, while animal biomass is most prevalent in marine environments. Read article Katharina Buchholz · Statista 14 Jun 2022Oceans are getting warmer - but what were their temperatures 100 years ago?In 2021, ocean surface temperatures were 0.65°C higher than the 20th century average. The year with the biggest divergence was 2016, at 0.8°C higher. Read article 13 Jun 2022All eyes on MC12: ending harmful fisheries subsidies is critical for fisheries, fishers and fish – and for the WTOMembers of the World Trade Organization will meet this week in Geneva (12 - 15 June) for the WTO’s twelfth Ministerial Conference and are expected to gavel a deal to end harmful fisheries... Read more 08 Jun 2022Targeted financing crucial for ocean health and achieving SDGs, new report showsWorld Economic Forum report argues that by redesigning the SDG14 data infrastructure, there is a better chance to achieve the 2030 targets for a healthy and sustainable ocean and planet. ... Read more Micheline Khan and Eliza Northrop · GreenBiz 08 Jun 2022How to build an equitable ocean economyCountries must take bolder, more holistic approaches to achieve a sustainable ocean economy and address existing inequalities, say experts. Read article Douglas Broom 08 Jun 2022This Pacific island is protecting 100% of its ocean territoryWhen it comes to marine conservation, Niue has become a world leader by protecting all the ocean around its coasts. Read article Stefan Ellerbeck 07 Jun 2022What is World Ocean Day?World Ocean Day is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Thousands of events will be hosted by youth groups, schools, aquariums and businesses in 150 countries. Read article Gregory Filiano · Futurity 01 Jun 2022Marine protected areas: Just 0.3% of Atlantic ocean off the US coast is protected, study findsVital ocean regions off the coasts of mainland US are unprotected, according to new analysis of marine protected areas (MPAs), which calls for increased funding. Read article Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) · Eurekalert 01 Jun 2022How underwater robots are helping researchers monitor our oceansResearchers are using autonomous underwater robots to sample environmental DNA and monitor marine biodiversity in previously unsurveyed parts of the ocean. Read article 30 May 2022End of the line for WTO negotiations to stop funding overfishing?An interview on ending harmful fisheries subsidies with Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and Co-Chair of Friends of Ocean Action. Read more Luhut B. Pandjaitan and Andrew Forrest 25 May 20225 reasons why the G20 needs a sustainable blue economyA blue economy can spur economic growth, create jobs and mitigate some of the most severe climate impacts if we protect it and use its resources sustainably. Read article Thomas Thune Andersen 24 May 2022To protect the ocean, leaders must get these 3 things rightAs human demands and interventions in a finite marine space increase, it will become more and more challenging to restore and protect the ocean. Read article 22 May 2022Blue economy: how business leaders and scientists are improving ocean healthThe blue economy is rising. Learn how innovative global businesses are working together to protect, restore and support the ocean and the blue economy. Read article Alfredo Giron-Nava 20 May 2022How data and tech can help combat illegal fishingIUU fishing represents as much as 20% of the global catch and means losses to the global economy in the range of billions. New technological approaches can identify the risks of illegal f... Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 18 May 2022Human-caused climate crisis is driving ‘ocean memory’ loss, scientists sayThe ocean has a memory - and it's rapidly losing it, according to research. Global warming is making the critical top layer, called ocean memory, thinner. Read article Victoria Masterson 12 May 2022This is how New Zealand is planning to tackle rising sea levelsWith sea levels set to rise another foot by 2050, New Zealand has published a draft plan on it can adapt to rising sea levels and other climate risks. Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 09 May 2022Climate crisis is speeding the water cycle, satellite data revealsRising temperatures are accelerating Earth's water cycle. Water is evaporating more quickly, making wet areas wetter and dry areas drier, according to new research. Read article Kate Whiting 09 May 2022China's sea levels, emperor penguins and other environment stories you need to read this weekTop environment stories: Emperor penguins could be extinct in 30 years; China sea levels hit record high; Rich nations must hit climate goals, says Kerry. Read article Sonia Fernandez · Futurity 06 May 2022The ocean can satisfy the global demand for meat, here's howInsensitive to climate change, mariculture can build finfish and shellfish farms to increase availability of healthy and sustainable meat, study finds. Read article Sharon Ikeazor and Vincent Van Quickenborne 05 May 2022Most of the world's ocean is unprotected. This is why that needs to changeThe ocean is a critical global resource in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. In 2022, countries must join global treaties to protect it. Read article Michael Taylor · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 05 May 2022Surprise' Malaysian flood highlights climate crisis - how can we reduce the risk?Recent floods in Malaysia caused nearly $1.5 billion in widespread destruction. Analysts believe deforestation is contributing to the worsening floods. Read article Adam Zewe · MIT News 04 May 2022A new device can make drinking water from seawater at the push of a buttonThis portable unit needs less power to operate than a cell phone charger and could make it much easier for those in resource-poor areas to desalinate water Read article Chido Munyati and Lukas Bester 03 May 2022How South Africa’s recent floods compel climate actionSouth Africa is recovering from the biggest natural disaster to hit the country and a just transition to protect lives and livelihoods is its best strategy Read article 29 Apr 2022How liberating ocean data will equip companies to avoid illegally caught seafood in their supply chainsNew report published sets out how ocean data transparency can enable companies throughout seafood supply chains to avoid products from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Learn more here Ayesha Tandon · Carbon Brief 20 Apr 2022Ocean warming drove 10% rise in 'extreme' rainfall from Atlantic hurricanes in 2020Extreme rainfall during the record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season in 2020 was made more intense by human-caused climate change, a new study says. Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 19 Apr 2022Sponges in Tasmania’s ‘twilight zone’ are bleaching for first time after marine heatwavesScientists from the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies have found bleached sponges off the eastern coast of Tasmania. Read article David King and Jane Lichtenstein · The Conversation 14 Apr 2022Oceans and marine wildlife could be key to storing carbon emissionsThe ocean and marine mammals could be an overlooked global carbon sink to help tackle climate change, write two experts. Read article Winnie Yeh 13 Apr 2022Should deep-sea minerals be part of battery supply chains?A new paper on supply chains identifies knowledge and stakeholder participation gaps that will impede decision-making on stewardship of deep-sea minerals Read article Guillermo Dominguez Huerta, Ahmed Zayed, James Wainaina, and Matthew Sullivan · The Conversation 12 Apr 2022Meet the 5,000 new viruses just discovered in the ocean. One might be very importantThousands of new RNA viruses have been found in our oceans. One could help scientists to get a better understanding of how early life developed on Earth. Read article 11 Apr 2022More knowledge, stronger stakeholder participation and greater consensus is needed for sound decision-making on deep-sea mineral stewardship, says new reportA new World Economic Forum report finds that decision-making on potential deep-sea mineral exploitation cannot yet serve the best interests of the planet and its people. Find out more Jihad Azour and Christoph Duenwald · IMF Blog 04 Apr 2022These are the countries most at risk from climate change, IMF reportsInternational cooperation is essential to manage the costs and maximize the benefits of adaptation, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, IMF states. Read article Douglas Broom 29 Mar 2022Food and sex: this is what fish are chatting about, say scientistsA new study has found that fish routinely chat to one another. It’s another reason why we must urgently prioritize ocean health, experts say. Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 24 Mar 2022Why are large sinkholes opening in the Arctic seabed?While scientists believe these sinkholes are the result of longer-term climate cycles, they also note how climate change continues to reshape the Arctic. Read article Jane Madgwick 24 Mar 2022Why wetlands are a versatile climate and biodiversity hackThey store carbon efficiently, contain more biodiversity than forests and protect against floods and wildfires. So, why aren't wetlands a bigger part of the climate-change discussion? Read article Victoria Masterson 22 Mar 2022Wave energy: can ocean power solve the global energy crisis?Wave energy is the most powerful but least developed renewable energy. If harnessed, it could meet much of the world’s electricity needs. Read article Declan Mc Adams and Torleiv Njaa 21 Mar 2022Here's why paint microplastic emissions must be at the top of the global environmental agendaPaint microplastic emissions account for more than half of estimated total annual ocean microplastic leakage and more needs to be done to tackle the issue. Read article Olalekan Adekola and Faith Chan · The Conversation 17 Mar 2022As sea levels rise, coastal megacities will need more than flood barriersRising sea levels due to climate change means coastal megacities in poorer countries need to adopt blue-green infrastructure solutions like 'rain gardens'. Read article Liz Kimbrough · Mongabay 17 Mar 2022A new rainbow-coloured fish has been discovered in the MaldivesFor the first time a local scientist has discovered a new species in the Maldives. Researchers have concerns about early commercial interest in the fish. Read article Cristen Hemingway Jaynes · EcoWatch 16 Mar 20223 common coral species could survive climate change better than once believed, scientists sayAccording to a new 22-month study, three common coral species in Hawaii may be more resilient to rising ocean temperatures than once thought, and could withstand a temperature increase up... Read article Malavika Vyawahare · Mongabay 14 Mar 2022How scientists and local knowledge are helping to protect Madagascar's fishing communityQ&A: Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy talks about her work as coordinator of Mihari, a national marine network that represents the voices of small-scale fishers. Read article Mike DiGirolamo · Mongabay 11 Mar 2022There's still time to save coral reefs, experts sayThere’s still time to save coral reefs, but we will have to quickly address land-based pollution, overfishing and climate change to have a hope of doing so Read article Carolyn Cowan · Mongabay 09 Mar 2022New-to-science fish species discovered in the PhilippinesDuring a survey for freshwater fish diversity, scientists discovered two new species of goby fish. But there are concerns they could now become extinct. Read article Keith Dawe, Randall Krantz, and Lara Mouftier 07 Mar 2022These are the zero-emission fuels to decarbonize the shipping industryThere are fuels that can achieve net-zero shipping emissions but scaling up these efforts needs lifecycle analysis, government action and policy frameworks. Read article Tom Pickerell and Janine Felson 07 Mar 2022Why an international treaty for the high seas is crucial to biodiversity An international treaty is needed to help protect the high seas, an area teeming with marine life, yet prone to overfishing and other man-made problems. Read article Irene Wang and Akira Tomoshige · Reuters 07 Mar 2022These seals are collecting data for Japanese researchers under Antarctic iceJapanese researchers have placed a monitoring device on the heads of Weddell seals to survey the waters in Antarctica, and collect observational data. Read article John Geddie and Joe Brock · Reuters 03 Mar 2022A global plastic treaty - that tackles production as well as waste - is within reach, says UNUnited Nations negotiators agreed on a roadmap for a global plastic treaty that would address plastic production and design, as well as waste management. Read article Antonia Gawel, Nathan Cooper, and Lukas Bester 03 Mar 2022What the IPCC Report tells us about the need for radical climate actionThe latest IPCC Report warns that the window to act to avoid climate catastrophe is closing fast unless urgent action is taken and commitments increased Read article Karsten Hirsch 03 Mar 2022Stopping marine plastic pollution from rivers requires efficient and cost-effective technologiesTo tackle marine plastic pollution, it is necessary to solve the problem as far ‘upstream’ as possible. Read article Matthew Harris · The Conversation 03 Mar 2022How much snow does each visitor 'melt' in the Antarctic? The answer may surprise youFrom 2019-20, 74,000 people visited Antarctica, the majority by ship. The travel and resulting stay produce black carbon that accelerates climate change. Read article Taimoor Sohail and Jan Zika · The Conversation 04 Mar 2022Here's how climate change affects our ability to harness fresh waterLarge shifts in the water cycle mean that dry areas become drier, and wet areas become wetter - meaning more droughts and extreme flooding, warn scientists. Read article Ronald Tardiff · World Ocean Initiative 02 Mar 202212 organizations delivering on the promise of blue carbonThe UpLink Blue Carbon Challenge sourced 12 innovative solutions to harness the potential of blue carbon markets to support conservation and restoration. Read article Leanne Geale 28 Feb 2022The time is now to commit to a binding global framework to address plastic pollutionPlastics are filling our environment. At the United Nations Environmental Assembly, world leaders must strike a binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Read article Douglas Broom 21 Feb 2022Ocean plastic pollution threatens marine extinction says new studyOcean plastic pollution will increase fourfold unless we curb our use of this ubiquitous but deadly substance says a new study. Read article Vanessa Johnston · Reuters 18 Feb 2022Saving endangered marine life with illuminated fishing netsResearchers have found that using LED lights on fishing nets could prevent endangered species such as sharks, sea turtles, and rays from being entangled. Read article Kate Whiting 18 Feb 2022Spain's ghost village, sea level rise and the global nature pact: Everything to know about the environment this weekTop environment stories: pollution causing more deaths than COVID; US sea levels may rise 60cm by 2050; Spanish village reappears as drought dries reservoir. Read article Tom Cameron · The Conversation 18 Feb 2022Overfishing is producing ‘supergenes’ in cod. Here's howSupergenes found in cod have highlighted how they have adapted to overfishing, and scientists say these will make them more resilient to climate change. Read article Douglas Broom 17 Feb 2022Pharmaceuticals are present in almost all the world's rivers, study finds80% of the wastewater is discharged untreated into the environment, so the the drugs we use to improve health are finding their way into our rivers. Read article Brooke Williams , Amelia Wenger , and James Watson · The Conversation 17 Feb 2022Just 16% of the world’s coastlines are in good shape – and many are so bad they can never fully recoverResearch has found that only 16% of the world's coastal regions are in good condition, and there are many so damaged that are beyond full restoration. Read article Jonathan Saul, Kate Abnett, and Nina Chestney · Reuters 16 Feb 2022Carbon trading: Why shipping should be included in the EU's emissions systemEnvironmental campaigners say efforts by the shipping industry to cut emissions are too slow, but inclusion in the European Union Emissions Trading System could speed it up. Read article Simon Torkington 11 Feb 2022These innovations are pulling plastic pollution out of rivers to stop it reaching our ocean. Here’s howMuch of the plastic pollution in the world’s oceans flows into them from rivers. But these innovations capture plastic in inland waterways and recycle it. Read article Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Hawthorne Beyer, and Abhinav Chugh 10 Feb 2022How coral resilience can improve ocean conservation – Experts explainA Nobel-winning stock market theory is being used to pick 50 reefs as ‘sanctuaries’ to survive climate crisis and revive coral elsewhere. Read article Kathryn Saducas and Caroline Slootweg 10 Feb 2022Is the answer to land-based agriculture found in the ocean?Research is showing that seaweed and products derived from it could help fight climate change while addressing many challenges facing the agriculture industry Read article Nicolas Gruber, Philip Boyd, Thomas Frölicher, and Meike Vogt · Carbon Brief 31 Jan 2022Why oceans could face more extremes like the Pacific ‘Blob’The largest marine heatwave is called the "Blob", occurring in the North Pacific in 2015, which had catastrophic consequences for our marine ecosystems. Read article 30 Jan 2022Statement from Friends of Ocean Action: 2022 can be the year the world halts the decline in ocean healthMembers of Friends of Ocean Action have endorsed a statement released today calling for ambitious action in 2022 to achieve a healthy, thriving ocean and advance the Sustainable Developme... Read more Robert Jones, Bill Dewey, and Barton Seaver 28 Jan 2022Aquaculture: why the world needs a new wave of food productionWith demand for food production growing on land-based agriculture under increasing pressure from climate change, our ocean and seas could provide a fertile alternative. Read article Charlotte Edmond 27 Jan 2022There are even nanoplastics at the North and South Poles - and they’re a bigger problem than we thoughtTiny nanoplastics are widespread and could be harmful to our health - and ever more of them are being created as discarded plastics break down in nature. Read article Sally Warner · The Conversation 24 Jan 2022What causes a tsunami? An ocean scientist explains the physics of these destructive wavesTsunamis are created by a different mechanism from waves -when an underwater earthquake, volcanic eruption or landslide displaces a large amount of water. Read article Kate Whiting 21 Jan 2022Paradigm shifts and pristine coral reefs: Everything to know about the environment this weekUN chief appeals for support for developing countries; German chancellor calls for 'paradigm shift' on climate action; pristine coral reef found off Tahiti. Read article 20 Jan 2022Policy measures can make zero-emission shipping commercially viable“Closing the Gap“ is the title of a new report outlining policy measures that could close the competitiveness gap between fossil fuels and zero-emission alternatives in shipping as well a... Read more Jim Leape and Hugh Welsh 20 Jan 2022How sustainable aquaculture can help meet the growing demand for blue foodDemand for blue food is expected to double by 2050, which will have environmental and social implications. The world needs sustainable aquaculture systems. Read article Charlotte Edmond 19 Jan 2022We know plastic pollution is bad – but how exactly is it linked to climate change?Plastic pollution poses problems for our environment. Here are the various ways it’s contributing to the climate crisis - and what can be done about it. Read article Kevin Trenberth · The Conversation 19 Jan 2022Climate change: Understanding the threat of ocean warmingThe world’s oceans are hotter than ever recorded, and their heat has increased each decade since the 1960s. This severely impacts the world's weather systems. Read article Mbaru Emmanuel, Jacqueline Lau, and Sarah Ruth Sutcliffe · The Conversation 19 Jan 2022How COVID affected Kenya's fisheries In Kenya, fishers, fish traders, and coastal communities faced severe livelihood and food security challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read article Paige Bennett · EcoWatch 18 Jan 2022Ships could bring invasive species to Antarctica, study warnsNon-native species are entering Antarctica's ecosystems by catching rides on ships from 1,500 global ports that come to the region, according to a study. Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 18 Jan 20222021 ocean temperatures were warmest on recordScientists say ocean temperature is a better way to measure global warming, as natural weather cycles don't impact the ocean in the same way as the air. Read article Hannah Evans and David Obura 17 Jan 2022How scientific research can enable stricter plastic pollution lawsPlastic pollution is a global problem that harms ecosystems. A project in Africa is working with scientists to research the effects of plastic on the ocean. Read article Zhu Chunquan and Gim Huay Neo 16 Jan 2022This is why China needs to become nature positive - and how to do it China is in a unique position to lead the transition to a carbon neutral and net zero economy. Without it, its economy is risking loss and disruption. Read article Markus Steilemann 14 Jan 2022It's time to shift to net-zero emissions plasticsMost plastic is made from fossil fuel, which accounts for 8% of global oil consumption. Here's how we can turn plastics from a climate enemy into an ally Read article Kirsten Salyer and Beatrice Di Caro 13 Jan 2022The Davos Agenda 2022 brings together world leaders to address the state of the worldThe Davos Agenda 2022 virtual event, 17-21 January, will feature heads of state, CEOs and other leaders discussing critical challenges and how to address them. Read article Katie Wood and Lauretta Burke · World Resources Institute 12 Jan 2022What must be done to protect coral reefs? Experts explainBetween 2009 and 2018, coral cover has progressively declined by 14% putting reefs and the biodiversity that relies on them at risk. Read article Peter Giger 11 Jan 2022Global Risks 2022: The 'disorderly' net-zero transition is here and it’s time to embrace itWe must not let the risks of a disorderly net-zero transition become an excuse for slowing the journey to net-zero. Instead, we should grasp the opportunities that this change will create. Read article Jennifer Chu · MIT News 09 Jan 2022Scientists have built a new map of the ocean’s oxygen-starved waters. Here's why it mattersScientists have created a three-dimensional atlas of the oxygen-deficient zones in the world's oceans to better understand how they change over time. Read article Jesse Fahnestock and Aparajit Pandey 05 Jan 2022How green corridors can enable the transition to zero-emission shipping Green corridors offer a way to scale zero-emission shipping industry solutions to meet climate targets by 2050. We examine how two trade routes could work. Read article Saleem Mustafa · The Conversation 04 Jan 2022How to prevent mass extinction in the ocean using AI, robots and 3D printersSpecific new technologies, such as sensors, drones, robots and artificial intelligence have enormous capacity to help the world reach its ocean targets. Read article Mogens L. Mathiesen 03 Jan 20224 reasons ocean industry should embrace data sharingBetter data sharing can boost economic growth and better protect the ocean. Here's how more transparency across ocean industries can build trust and a sustainable blue economy. Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 22 Dec 2021The Arctic Report Card shows the continued decline of sea iceThe Arctic region continues to warm twice as fast as the rest of the planet according to the annual report from the NOAA-led Arctic Program. Read article 20 Dec 2021Friends of Ocean Action supports call for adoption of WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies no later than February 2022 Read more Brett Walton 20 Dec 2021In 2021, water crises took center stage. Here's how we can adaptThe last 12 months of floods and droughts showed extreme events are happening more often and everywhere. Here's how the world can adapt in the new year. Read article Sayef Tanzeem Qayyum and Ahmed Shawky · World Bank 18 Dec 2021This is how Dhaka can restore its river ecosystemsThe capital city of Dhaka in central Bangladesh is currently the fourth-least livable city in the world. Here's how it can clean up its vital river systems. Read article Ilan Kelman · The Conversation 16 Dec 2021Flooding: how can vulnerable regions build resilience?This involves taking steps to mitigate risks before storms strike; for example, building on safer, higher land and improving forest and river management. Read article Charlotte Edmond 14 Dec 2021New York is building a wall of oysters to fight floodingA reef of shellfish could help New York City square up to the threat of storms and floods linked to climate change. Read article 10 Dec 2021Job opportunity with Friends of Ocean ActionJoin Friends of Ocean Action as the new Impact Pillar Lead for Activating Ocean Finance! Read more 10 Dec 2021Request for proposals: at-sea processing researchFriends of Ocean Action is seeking a consultant(s) or company to undertake research and write a white paper that will capture details and data on the capacity for processing of seafood at... Read more Jennifer J. Sara · World Bank 05 Dec 2021Why water is central to the global recovery from the pandemicClimate change is felt most deeply through water, with higher temperatures leading to droughts, floods, and rainfall variability, impacting low-income countries. Read article Douglas Broom 02 Dec 2021Around the world, these are just some of the cities at risk of rising sea levelsRising sea levels pose a significant threat to major coastal cities - even if we could halt global warming. Read article Nick Routley · Visual Capitalist 01 Dec 2021How deep are the world's oceans, lakes and drill holes? This visualization shows youA new visualization by xkcd offers a unique look at the world's oceans, lakes and drill holes. Read article Rikako Murayama and Aaron Sheldrick 25 Nov 2021This Japanese start-up has designed a wind turbine that can work in typhoonsA Japanese start-up has designed a wind turbine that works during cyclones, turning Japan's 26 annual typhoons and tropical storms into reliable energy sources. Read article Monica Noon and Allie Goldstein 25 Nov 2021What is 'irrecoverable carbon' and how do we protect the ecosystems that store it?Scientists have found that certain areas are uniquely important carbon vaults. If destroyed, these ecosystems could take decades or centuries to regenerate. Read article University of Copenhagen · Futurity 24 Nov 2021Here's how a new type of X-ray could save a 500-year-old shipA new X-ray method has allowed researchers to identify zinc-sulfide nanoparticles on the timbers of the Mary Rose, helping conservationists preserve it. Read article Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen · Reuters 22 Nov 2021Climate-friendly farming: Greenland's melting glaciers offer an answerGlacial rock flour, the small silt deposits from glacial melt, could help boost farm yields around the world as it allows plants to access to nutrients. Read article Lisa Shumaker and Timothy Gardner · Reuters 22 Nov 2021These 'rivers in the sky' are causing massive flooding in CanadaAtmospheric rivers carry up to 15 times the volume of the Mississippi River, according to the NASA Earth Observatory and are causing flooding in Canada's British Columbia. Read article Tom Abate · Futurity 20 Nov 2021These microrobots imitate starfish larva and could help treat tumorsMicrorobots are predicted to revolutionize healthcare, designed to swim through the body to deliver medication to specific areas and perform surgical procedures. Read article Peter Thomson 19 Nov 2021Will WTO members act now to end harmful fisheries subsidies?Members of the WTO have been negotiating rules for two decades to stop harmful fisheries subsidies. Will they fulfil their commitment to protect the ocean? Read article Douglas Broom 15 Nov 2021These blue carbon ecosystems could slow climate changeSeagrass, mangroves, and salt marshes could help us slow climate change. These blue carbon ecosystems could deliver 20% of the carbon cuts needed by 2050. Read article Colin Packham · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 11 Nov 2021COP26: Tuvalu minister delivers speech in the ocean to raise awareness about rising sea levelsSimon Kofe, Tuvalu's foreign minister, addressed the COP26 climate summit while standing knee-deep in the seawater that threatens to submerge his country. Read article 10 Nov 2021The Next Wave: Green Corridors can get the ball rolling on the transition to zero-emission shippingZero-emission fuels and vessels must start being deployed at scale over the next decade to achieve full decarbonisation of the shipping sector by 2050. Scaling the first pilots and demons... Read more Matteo Spagnolo · The Conversation 10 Nov 2021Ice stupas: How artificial glaciers supply water to some of the driest places on EarthArtificial glaciers can serve as a source of fresh water for communities and ecosystems in the driest places, like India and South America. Read article Victoria Masterson 04 Nov 2021How a great plankton migration could pose a 'serious threat' to ocean ecosystems and the planetOcean plankton are migrating from tropical waters towards the cooler poles as the earth warms, scientists have found, bringing potentially dire consequences to the food web. Read article Hamid Mehmood · The Conversation 03 Nov 2021New tools to map flood risk will help bring disaster planning up to dateWater-related disasters are accountable for 325,000 fatalities and over $1.7 trillion economic loss across the world. This shows the need for mapping tools. Read article 03 Nov 2021UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean urges APEC leaders to stop unsustainable fishingThe UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and Co-Chair of Friends of Ocean Action, Peter Thomson, has written to each of the leaders of the 21 Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperat... Read more Robin Pomeroy 02 Nov 2021COP26: The Great Melt - tales from the front lines of climate changeAs COP26 opens, Radio Davos hears from a journalist who has covered many climate summits and reported from remote corners of the world on global warming. Read article 01 Nov 2021Relay4Nature arrives in Glasgow for global climate conference COP26Nature’s Baton, the symbol of Relay4Nature, has been welcomed at the landmark event by Vel Gnanendran, Director for Climate and Environment, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Read more 28 Oct 2021WTO must ban harmful fisheries subsidies, urge nearly 300 scientistsAhead of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference, the topmost decision-making body of the WTO, scientists around the world sign a letter urging the WTO to end har... Read more Jesse Fahnestock and Tristan Smith 27 Oct 2021This new strategy is paving the way for net-zero shipping A new strategy for the transition to zero-emission shipping outlines what it will take for the industry to move away from fossil fuels towards a green future. Read article 27 Oct 2021Industry leaders call on COP26 to commit to decarbonize international shipping by 2050The Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization, urging world leaders to take action to align shipping with the Paris Agreement temperature goal, was today delivered to the UK Presidency ... Read more 27 Oct 2021With concerted collaborative action, full decarbonization of international shipping by 2050 is doable Read more David L. Chandler · MIT News 24 Oct 2021How marsh grass could help protect us from climate changeCoastal marsh plants provide significant protection from surges and devastating storms. New research shows how they can be effectively restored and managed. Read article Charlotte HSU-Buffalo · Futurity 21 Oct 2021One species or two? Decade-old debate on coral might finally be overResearch has revealed that Plexaura homomalla and kükenthali are two separate species of coral. Scientists have struggled to differentiate them in the past. Read article Monica Machicao · Reuters 21 Oct 2021Prey to project: Fishermen and scientists have teamed up to save Bolivia's pink river dolphinsBolivian fishermen who once hunted rare pink dolphins are monitoring their behavior to help scientists understand the threats they face. Read article Katharine Rooney 21 Oct 2021These stunning photographs show how vital mangroves are to the health of the planetNow in its seventh year, the Mangrove Photography Award raises awareness about the importance of maintaining these valuable woodland ecosystems. Read article Kevin Krajick · Columbia University 17 Oct 2021Last Ice Area: Where multi-year Arctic sea ice could make its final standResearchers have coalesced around the idea of what they have called the Last Ice Area—the region where multi-year ice will likely make a last stand. Read article Jessica Blythe, Colette Wabnitz, Gary Pickering, Julia Baird, Kirsty L Nash, and Nathan Bennett · The Conversation 14 Oct 2021VR can encourage people to save our oceans. Here's whyExperts believe that if we could help people empathize with the ocean and the marine life within, they would try harder to protect it. Read article Anthony Robert Hobley, Faustine Delasalle, and Emma Skov Christiansen 13 Oct 2021To reach net zero, the shipping sector needs political supportTackling emissions in the shipping sector is essential to achieving international targets, but it will only be possible through large-scale collaboration. Read article Florian Zandt · Statista 13 Oct 2021Coral reefs are dying. This is where they are most affectedThe world has lost a significant amount of its coral reefs, with some regions losing more than others. Factors including climate change have caused this. Read article 13 Oct 2021Critical Decarbonization Technologies Need at Least “10x” Investment to Hit Zero Emission TargetsInnovative, early-stage technologies like hydrogen-based fuels, carbon capture and bioenergy are in urgent need of funding to scale globally and help organizations hit zero emission targets Katharine Palmer and Sturla Henriksen 12 Oct 2021How companies can decarbonize shipping supply chains and protect human rightsTechnological advancements for decarbonizing shipping are also progressing but must be further financed and brought to scale for social inclusivity. Read article Joe Myers and Kate Whiting 09 Oct 2021Coral reefs, climate targets and Nobel prize winners: Everything to know about the environment this weekTop stories: World's coral faces 'existential crisis'; EU to back five-year climate targets at COP26; Trio of scientists win Physics Nobel Prize for climate work. Read article Suzanna Burgelman · Frontiers 08 Oct 2021This is how much plastic debris is floating in the Mediterranean Sea Researchers have created a model, tracking the pathways of land-based micro and macro-plastics to the sea. Read article James Redmayne and Jill Gralow · Reuters 08 Oct 2021These 'living seawalls' are bringing ocean life back to Sydney HarbourResearchers in Australia have come together to develop a seawall to provide habitats for marine life in Sydney Harbour. Read article Alexander Court 08 Oct 2021Why the ocean is our ally in fighting climate change: experts tell Radio Davos their hopes for COP26 The ocean plays a huge role in regulating the climate. As we head to COP26, Radio Davos dips into tropical and Arctic waters and speaks to the UN oceans tsar. Read article Dave Little and Richard Newton · The Conversation 07 Oct 2021How better use of 'blue foods' help us meet climate change and food security goalsNew research, known as the 'Blue Food Assessment', has shown that these foods could help to us to meet the challenges of climate change and food security. Read article Chen Zhao and Rupert Gladstone · The Conversation 07 Oct 2021Scientists still don’t know how far melting in Antarctica will go – or the sea level rise it will unleashFuture sea level rise poses challenges like human displacement, infrastructure loss, interference with agriculture and coastal habitat degradation. Read article Ayesha Tandon · Carbon Brief 06 Oct 2021Arctic sea ice summer minimum in 2021 is ‘12th lowest’ on recordArctic sea ice has reached its annual minimum for 2021, clocking in at the 12th lowest on record, according to provisional data from the NSIDC. Read article Laura Gersony · Circle of Blue 06 Oct 2021The town that flood-proofed itselfOttawa, Illinois, receives runoff from the Illinois and Fox river watersheds making flooding long a part of life. The city has worked to limit its impact, though. Read article Roli Srivastava · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 06 Oct 2021How flood-prone Mumbai is tackling climate change, from underground tunnels to newer sewersMumbai launched its first Climate Action Plan to bring together different arms of the administration to try to fast-track solutions against climate change and flooding. Read article Brett Walton · Circle of Blue 05 Oct 2021Research shows droughts push more people to migrate than floodsPeople are five times as likely to move following drought conditions as they are after floods or periods of excess water, according to World Bank research. Read article Alex Fraser · Reuters 05 Oct 2021Italy's first-ever 'living lab' is helping marine biologists tackle climate changeSanta Teresa Bay has become Italy's first underwater 'living' lab, providing data to study extreme weather events and measure the effect of climate change on seawater. Read article ETH Zurich · Futurity 05 Oct 2021What is 'marine snow' and how does it help the ocean to store carbon?Marine snow transports carbon into the ocean's depths; 1% of its carbon dioxide lies buried in the seafloor for thousands of years. Read article Chris Sweeney · Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health 26 Sep 2021Increasing production of aquatic foods is a win-win for people and planetSustainably ramping up the production of seafood is critical to addressing staggering global levels of malnutrition and associated micronutrient deficiencies, a new study finds. Read article Joe Myers 23 Sep 2021'A voice in the wilderness': The man who spent 12 gruelling days swimming in the ArcticLewis Pugh has recently completed a 12-day swim in the freezing waters off Greenland to send a message about the human impact on Earth. Read article Tara Marshall · The Conversation 23 Sep 2021How a new app helps fishing boats avoid netting endangered speciesA number of fishing vessels have been using BATmap, a real-time app that helps boats to avoid catching endangered marine species caught up in the nets. Read article Emily Kelly 23 Sep 202111 innovations shaping global food systems from the waterBlue foods have traditionally been undervalued in their contribution to global food systems. These innovations from around the world aim to change that. Read article Sonia Fernandez · Futurity 22 Sep 2021Could 'blue foods' play a greater role in delivering more sustainable nutrition?Some people believe that fisheries and aquaculture have the potential to improve the world's food systems. Read article 22 Sep 2021Friends of Ocean Action launches initiatives to scale blue foods and boost ocean healthNew initiatives amplify role of the ocean in global food systems transformation and resilience. Veronica Scotti 22 Sep 2021Mexico’s Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is now being protected with insurance - here's howMesoamerican Barrier Reef in Mexico is now insured. Insurers are working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector to build the business case for nature-led solutions that protect ou... Read article 22 Sep 2021Over 150 industry leaders and organizations call for decisive government action to enable full decarbonization of international shipping by 2050 Whitney Johnston 21 Sep 2021What are blue carbon credits and how to maximise their impactUnderstand blue carbon credits and the four ways businesses driving their demand can help optimise outcomes for people and planet. Read article 16 Sep 2021 Study reveals Mexico’s great potential for driving green shipping fuel productionMexico’s potential for renewable energy generation, the location of its ports on busy shipping routes, and strong trading relations make the country well suited as a zero-carbon shipping ... Cassandra Garrison, Clare Baldwin, and Marco Hernandez · Reuters 16 Sep 2021A race against time: Scientists are rushing to collect ice cores before glaciers meltScientists are racing to collect ice cores, containing critical climate information, before global warming melts glaciers and ice sheets around the world. Read article Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 15 Sep 2021First-ever coral reef world map in high-resolution is readyHave a look at the coral reef world map. The mapping tool allows policymakers, conservationists, and the public to understand the coral reef map across the world, with the aim of protecti... Read article Joe Myers 08 Sep 20214 tuna species are showing signs of recovery. Here's what that tells us about the future of fisheries An update to the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species shows hope for four commercially fished tuna species - but work remains to protect marine life. Read article Anjan Ray 06 Sep 20213 steps towards making aviation and marine fuel cleanerThere is increasing onus on the aviation and shipping sectors to decarbonize – but more action is needed to make sustainable fuels viable Read article Steven D. Miller · The Conversation 31 Aug 2021The nocturnal phenomenon of milky seas, explained by scienceEvents called 'milky seas' are a 'rare nocturnal phenomenon in which the ocean's surface emits a steady bright glow'. These have been observed for centuries. Read article Johnny Wood 31 Aug 2021This underwater sculpture park is helping rewild marine ecosystems. Here’s how‘Living’ sculptures of giant trees, and even people, are turning art into marine conservation beneath the waters of the Mediterranean sea. Read article Tiffany Duong · EcoWatch 24 Aug 2021Human noise pollution is causing seagrass beds to uproot themselvesHuman-created noise pollution is altering seagrass beds on a cellular level and causing them to uproot themselves, according to a study. Read article Emily Howells and David Abrego · The Conversation 24 Aug 2021Could selective breeding help coral reefs cope with climate change?With global sea temperatures on the rise, the world's coral population is suffering. However, selective breeding could offer a lifeline in helping them withstand harsher conditions. Read article Rumaitha Al Busaidi 19 Aug 2021What is integrated aquaculture and how can it help feed the world?Systems that link two or more farming activities, at least one of which is a fish-farming activity, could provide sustainable solutions to food security. Read article Thomas Thune Andersen · Race To Zero 17 Aug 2021Why meeting the Paris Agreement means managing the oceanSustainable management of the ocean is vital for the livelihoods of millions, as well as the planet's overall health, offering food and renewable energy. Read article Harrison Tasoff · Futurity 17 Aug 2021How climate change is making fish droppings harmful to coralFish pooing on coral has always been a normal part of marine ecosystems; however, warmer temperatures now mean that this can now be problematic. Read article Johnny Wood 14 Aug 2020Study finds sharks are ‘functionally extinct’ in 20% of reefs observedDespite falling populations, video evidence shows conservation efforts can help these marine predators survive and thrive. Read article Emma Charlton 12 Aug 2021'You can't have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean': interview with UN Special Envoy for the OceanPeter Thomson, the United Nations’ Special Envoy for the Ocean, says global leaders need to heighten their ambitions as they head to November’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Read article Tiffany Duong · EcoWatch 12 Aug 2021Why planting mangroves can help save the planetFrom preventing coastal flooding to filtering water, mangroves help the planet in multiple ways. But they're under threat from tourism, agriculture and more. Read article Sonia Fernandez · Futurity 12 Aug 2021Climate change: This is when the ocean started to warmThe ocean maintained a relatively steady temperature for most of the 20th century before rising steeply, according to new research by UC Santa Barbara. Read article Nina Chestney and Andrea Januta · Reuters 09 Aug 2021IPCC report: UN Secretary-General describes climate crisis as 'code red for humanity'U.N. Secretary-General described the IPCC report as a "code red for humanity", urging an immediate end to coal energy and other high-polluting fossil fuels. Read article David Karoly · The Conversation 09 Aug 2021What is the IPCC report and why does it matter? Know what is the IPCC report? (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has released its new report, giving world leaders the most up-to-date information about climate change. Read article Suzanna Burgelman · Frontiers 09 Aug 2021Why are young turtles ingesting more plastic than other sea creatures?Small juvenile turtles are most at risk from harmful plastic pollution due to their feeding preferences and habitat locations. Read article Kim Harrisberg · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 10 Aug 2021Warming oceans: Zanzibar's seaweed farmers are turning to ocean sponges to help stay afloat Climate change is negatively impacting seaweed farms, forcing farmers to turn to sea sponges that can withstand climate shocks and protect their income. Read article Tiff-Annie Kenny, Malaya Bishop, and Mélanie Lemire · The Conversation 06 Aug 2021How climate change is affecting lives in seaside communitiesFrom increased pollution levels to declines in seafood catches, climate change is starving the ocean of life. Here's how this will impact global human health. Read article
Tom Gockelen-Kozlowski · GreenBiz 21 Jul 2022New study suggests seafood retailers can protect biodiversity and profitabilityA new report has found that an increase in seafood sustainability and greater supply chain disclosure could improve ocean health and significantly boost retailer profits. Read article
Douglas McCauley and Diva Amon 21 Jul 2022The risks of deep-sea mining are not fully understood - here's why that mattersDeep-sea mining, an industry poised to start operating in 2023, could result in the dangerous loss of biodiversity and other disruptions to the deep sea. Read article
Karen Scott · The Conversation 18 Jul 2022Plastic pollution and why we need to enforce global rules on fishing vesselsAs the UN supports negotiations for a plastic pollution treaty, researchers dive into existing laws that regulate plastic pollution from fishing vessels Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 13 Jul 2022'Glimpse of hope': up to 150 fin whales spotted feeding off AntarcticaResearchers have documented fin whales feeding en masse off Antarctica’s Elephant Island, a win for the 1982 ban on the practice of commercial whaling. Read article
Sarah Mcfarlane · Reuters 13 Jul 2022Why shipping might be about to get a little bit slowerUpcoming rules from the IMO require shipping firms to calculate their vessels' annual carbon intensity, which could lead to slower sailing speed on older ships. Read article
Gemma Parkes 08 Jul 20222022 UN Ocean Conference sets off new wave of ocean actionThe 2022 UN Ocean Conference took place in Lisbon. The global ocean community gathered to celebrate progress and push for more ambitious ocean action. Read article
Tom Crowfoot 08 Jul 20225 stories on climate change you should read this weekFrom the financial value of green energy investment in Europe, to how best to talk about sustainability, these are the latest stories on climate change. Read article
Joanne Bentley, Alex Pigot, Andreas L. S. Meyer , and Christopher Trisos · The Conversation 08 Jul 2022Climate crisis: Even temporarily overshooting 2°C would cause permanent damage to Earth’s speciesResearch models have found that a temporary climate overshoot would cause waves of irreversible extinctions and lasting damage to tens of thousands of species. Read article
Xi Xie and Yan Li 06 Jul 2022The 16 principles that could save the oceanThe ocean is in serious decline. Only an urgent multilateral effort can halt this and preserve the ocean and the benefits it provides for future generations. Read article
05 Jul 2022China is establishing blue partnerships to scale up actions to conserve and sustainably use the oceansWith the development of Blue Partnerships, we can accelerate efforts to realize SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Read article
04 Jul 2022Here's how the 2022 UN Ocean Conference set off a new wave of global ocean actionThe global ocean community was thirsty to meet and connect again in person – to celebrate progress, and more importantly push for ever more ambitious ocean action. Find out what happened ... Read more
Ken Buesseler, Margaret Leinen, Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Fei Chai, Sarah Smith, Mark Wells, and Joo-Eun Yoon 29 Jun 2022Why we need a code of conduct for ocean-based carbon dioxide removalSeas hold over 50 times the amount of CO2 than the atmosphere, so we'd be wise to look at ocean-based carbon dioxide removal to tackle climate change. Read article
Linwood Pendleton and Annie Brett 29 Jun 2022To save the ocean, Web3 needs more scientists Web3 tools are being used to raise money for ocean conservation and fund ocean science, but more scientific input and analysis are needed to ensure success. Read article
Shiri Krishna Gounder 28 Jun 2022A sustainable path to lasting recovery for Small Island Developing States lies in the ocean and the building of a robust blue economySmall Island Developing States like Fiji were battered by COVID-19. In a post-pandemic world, the ocean will provide them sustainable and resilient growth. Read article
Peter Thomson 27 Jun 2022Why the UN Ocean Conference is a key step on the road to recovering ocean healthThe UN Ocean Conference will be focussing on the major challenges and opportunities faced by the ocean today, from overfishing to excess carbon emissions. Read article
Kate Whiting 27 Jun 2022Aquaman Jason Momoa speaks up for the ocean – and other environment stories you need to read this weekTop environment stories: Aquaman's Momoa speaks out on saving the ocean; Denmark sets EU's highest carbon tax; Biodiversity loss would hit credit ratings. Read article
United Nations · United Nations 24 Jun 20225 things you should know about the UN Ocean Conference, a chance to save the planet’s largest ecosystemThere are hopes UN Ocean Conference 2022, in Portugal, co-hosted by Kenya, will find solutions to the problems of sustainably managing the ocean. Read article
Reuters · Reuters 22 Jun 2022The world's largest freshwater fish is discovered by villagers in CambodiaThe world's biggest freshwater fish ever recorded, a female stingray weighing in at 300kg, has been discovered by Cambodian villagers on the Mekong River. Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 17 Jun 2022World Oceans Day photo competition winners showcase the wonders of our blue planet6 winners were picked for the United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competition, as photographers from around the world captured the beauty of our blue planet. Read article
17 Jun 2022Friends of Ocean Action congratulates members of WTO for reaching historic deal to end harmful fisheries subsidies: next step must be urgent entry into force Read more
Florian Zandt · Statista 15 Jun 2022Land or water: Which is home to more animals and plant life? Most living biomass is found on land, with plants accounting for four-fifths of the total, while animal biomass is most prevalent in marine environments. Read article
Katharina Buchholz · Statista 14 Jun 2022Oceans are getting warmer - but what were their temperatures 100 years ago?In 2021, ocean surface temperatures were 0.65°C higher than the 20th century average. The year with the biggest divergence was 2016, at 0.8°C higher. Read article
13 Jun 2022All eyes on MC12: ending harmful fisheries subsidies is critical for fisheries, fishers and fish – and for the WTOMembers of the World Trade Organization will meet this week in Geneva (12 - 15 June) for the WTO’s twelfth Ministerial Conference and are expected to gavel a deal to end harmful fisheries... Read more
08 Jun 2022Targeted financing crucial for ocean health and achieving SDGs, new report showsWorld Economic Forum report argues that by redesigning the SDG14 data infrastructure, there is a better chance to achieve the 2030 targets for a healthy and sustainable ocean and planet. ... Read more
Micheline Khan and Eliza Northrop · GreenBiz 08 Jun 2022How to build an equitable ocean economyCountries must take bolder, more holistic approaches to achieve a sustainable ocean economy and address existing inequalities, say experts. Read article
Douglas Broom 08 Jun 2022This Pacific island is protecting 100% of its ocean territoryWhen it comes to marine conservation, Niue has become a world leader by protecting all the ocean around its coasts. Read article
Stefan Ellerbeck 07 Jun 2022What is World Ocean Day?World Ocean Day is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Thousands of events will be hosted by youth groups, schools, aquariums and businesses in 150 countries. Read article
Gregory Filiano · Futurity 01 Jun 2022Marine protected areas: Just 0.3% of Atlantic ocean off the US coast is protected, study findsVital ocean regions off the coasts of mainland US are unprotected, according to new analysis of marine protected areas (MPAs), which calls for increased funding. Read article
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) · Eurekalert 01 Jun 2022How underwater robots are helping researchers monitor our oceansResearchers are using autonomous underwater robots to sample environmental DNA and monitor marine biodiversity in previously unsurveyed parts of the ocean. Read article
30 May 2022End of the line for WTO negotiations to stop funding overfishing?An interview on ending harmful fisheries subsidies with Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and Co-Chair of Friends of Ocean Action. Read more
Luhut B. Pandjaitan and Andrew Forrest 25 May 20225 reasons why the G20 needs a sustainable blue economyA blue economy can spur economic growth, create jobs and mitigate some of the most severe climate impacts if we protect it and use its resources sustainably. Read article
Thomas Thune Andersen 24 May 2022To protect the ocean, leaders must get these 3 things rightAs human demands and interventions in a finite marine space increase, it will become more and more challenging to restore and protect the ocean. Read article
22 May 2022Blue economy: how business leaders and scientists are improving ocean healthThe blue economy is rising. Learn how innovative global businesses are working together to protect, restore and support the ocean and the blue economy. Read article
Alfredo Giron-Nava 20 May 2022How data and tech can help combat illegal fishingIUU fishing represents as much as 20% of the global catch and means losses to the global economy in the range of billions. New technological approaches can identify the risks of illegal f... Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 18 May 2022Human-caused climate crisis is driving ‘ocean memory’ loss, scientists sayThe ocean has a memory - and it's rapidly losing it, according to research. Global warming is making the critical top layer, called ocean memory, thinner. Read article
Victoria Masterson 12 May 2022This is how New Zealand is planning to tackle rising sea levelsWith sea levels set to rise another foot by 2050, New Zealand has published a draft plan on it can adapt to rising sea levels and other climate risks. Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 09 May 2022Climate crisis is speeding the water cycle, satellite data revealsRising temperatures are accelerating Earth's water cycle. Water is evaporating more quickly, making wet areas wetter and dry areas drier, according to new research. Read article
Kate Whiting 09 May 2022China's sea levels, emperor penguins and other environment stories you need to read this weekTop environment stories: Emperor penguins could be extinct in 30 years; China sea levels hit record high; Rich nations must hit climate goals, says Kerry. Read article
Sonia Fernandez · Futurity 06 May 2022The ocean can satisfy the global demand for meat, here's howInsensitive to climate change, mariculture can build finfish and shellfish farms to increase availability of healthy and sustainable meat, study finds. Read article
Sharon Ikeazor and Vincent Van Quickenborne 05 May 2022Most of the world's ocean is unprotected. This is why that needs to changeThe ocean is a critical global resource in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. In 2022, countries must join global treaties to protect it. Read article
Michael Taylor · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 05 May 2022Surprise' Malaysian flood highlights climate crisis - how can we reduce the risk?Recent floods in Malaysia caused nearly $1.5 billion in widespread destruction. Analysts believe deforestation is contributing to the worsening floods. Read article
Adam Zewe · MIT News 04 May 2022A new device can make drinking water from seawater at the push of a buttonThis portable unit needs less power to operate than a cell phone charger and could make it much easier for those in resource-poor areas to desalinate water Read article
Chido Munyati and Lukas Bester 03 May 2022How South Africa’s recent floods compel climate actionSouth Africa is recovering from the biggest natural disaster to hit the country and a just transition to protect lives and livelihoods is its best strategy Read article
29 Apr 2022How liberating ocean data will equip companies to avoid illegally caught seafood in their supply chainsNew report published sets out how ocean data transparency can enable companies throughout seafood supply chains to avoid products from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Learn more here
Ayesha Tandon · Carbon Brief 20 Apr 2022Ocean warming drove 10% rise in 'extreme' rainfall from Atlantic hurricanes in 2020Extreme rainfall during the record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season in 2020 was made more intense by human-caused climate change, a new study says. Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 19 Apr 2022Sponges in Tasmania’s ‘twilight zone’ are bleaching for first time after marine heatwavesScientists from the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies have found bleached sponges off the eastern coast of Tasmania. Read article
David King and Jane Lichtenstein · The Conversation 14 Apr 2022Oceans and marine wildlife could be key to storing carbon emissionsThe ocean and marine mammals could be an overlooked global carbon sink to help tackle climate change, write two experts. Read article
Winnie Yeh 13 Apr 2022Should deep-sea minerals be part of battery supply chains?A new paper on supply chains identifies knowledge and stakeholder participation gaps that will impede decision-making on stewardship of deep-sea minerals Read article
Guillermo Dominguez Huerta, Ahmed Zayed, James Wainaina, and Matthew Sullivan · The Conversation 12 Apr 2022Meet the 5,000 new viruses just discovered in the ocean. One might be very importantThousands of new RNA viruses have been found in our oceans. One could help scientists to get a better understanding of how early life developed on Earth. Read article
11 Apr 2022More knowledge, stronger stakeholder participation and greater consensus is needed for sound decision-making on deep-sea mineral stewardship, says new reportA new World Economic Forum report finds that decision-making on potential deep-sea mineral exploitation cannot yet serve the best interests of the planet and its people. Find out more
Jihad Azour and Christoph Duenwald · IMF Blog 04 Apr 2022These are the countries most at risk from climate change, IMF reportsInternational cooperation is essential to manage the costs and maximize the benefits of adaptation, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, IMF states. Read article
Douglas Broom 29 Mar 2022Food and sex: this is what fish are chatting about, say scientistsA new study has found that fish routinely chat to one another. It’s another reason why we must urgently prioritize ocean health, experts say. Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 24 Mar 2022Why are large sinkholes opening in the Arctic seabed?While scientists believe these sinkholes are the result of longer-term climate cycles, they also note how climate change continues to reshape the Arctic. Read article
Jane Madgwick 24 Mar 2022Why wetlands are a versatile climate and biodiversity hackThey store carbon efficiently, contain more biodiversity than forests and protect against floods and wildfires. So, why aren't wetlands a bigger part of the climate-change discussion? Read article
Victoria Masterson 22 Mar 2022Wave energy: can ocean power solve the global energy crisis?Wave energy is the most powerful but least developed renewable energy. If harnessed, it could meet much of the world’s electricity needs. Read article
Declan Mc Adams and Torleiv Njaa 21 Mar 2022Here's why paint microplastic emissions must be at the top of the global environmental agendaPaint microplastic emissions account for more than half of estimated total annual ocean microplastic leakage and more needs to be done to tackle the issue. Read article
Olalekan Adekola and Faith Chan · The Conversation 17 Mar 2022As sea levels rise, coastal megacities will need more than flood barriersRising sea levels due to climate change means coastal megacities in poorer countries need to adopt blue-green infrastructure solutions like 'rain gardens'. Read article
Liz Kimbrough · Mongabay 17 Mar 2022A new rainbow-coloured fish has been discovered in the MaldivesFor the first time a local scientist has discovered a new species in the Maldives. Researchers have concerns about early commercial interest in the fish. Read article
Cristen Hemingway Jaynes · EcoWatch 16 Mar 20223 common coral species could survive climate change better than once believed, scientists sayAccording to a new 22-month study, three common coral species in Hawaii may be more resilient to rising ocean temperatures than once thought, and could withstand a temperature increase up... Read article
Malavika Vyawahare · Mongabay 14 Mar 2022How scientists and local knowledge are helping to protect Madagascar's fishing communityQ&A: Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy talks about her work as coordinator of Mihari, a national marine network that represents the voices of small-scale fishers. Read article
Mike DiGirolamo · Mongabay 11 Mar 2022There's still time to save coral reefs, experts sayThere’s still time to save coral reefs, but we will have to quickly address land-based pollution, overfishing and climate change to have a hope of doing so Read article
Carolyn Cowan · Mongabay 09 Mar 2022New-to-science fish species discovered in the PhilippinesDuring a survey for freshwater fish diversity, scientists discovered two new species of goby fish. But there are concerns they could now become extinct. Read article
Keith Dawe, Randall Krantz, and Lara Mouftier 07 Mar 2022These are the zero-emission fuels to decarbonize the shipping industryThere are fuels that can achieve net-zero shipping emissions but scaling up these efforts needs lifecycle analysis, government action and policy frameworks. Read article
Tom Pickerell and Janine Felson 07 Mar 2022Why an international treaty for the high seas is crucial to biodiversity An international treaty is needed to help protect the high seas, an area teeming with marine life, yet prone to overfishing and other man-made problems. Read article
Irene Wang and Akira Tomoshige · Reuters 07 Mar 2022These seals are collecting data for Japanese researchers under Antarctic iceJapanese researchers have placed a monitoring device on the heads of Weddell seals to survey the waters in Antarctica, and collect observational data. Read article
John Geddie and Joe Brock · Reuters 03 Mar 2022A global plastic treaty - that tackles production as well as waste - is within reach, says UNUnited Nations negotiators agreed on a roadmap for a global plastic treaty that would address plastic production and design, as well as waste management. Read article
Antonia Gawel, Nathan Cooper, and Lukas Bester 03 Mar 2022What the IPCC Report tells us about the need for radical climate actionThe latest IPCC Report warns that the window to act to avoid climate catastrophe is closing fast unless urgent action is taken and commitments increased Read article
Karsten Hirsch 03 Mar 2022Stopping marine plastic pollution from rivers requires efficient and cost-effective technologiesTo tackle marine plastic pollution, it is necessary to solve the problem as far ‘upstream’ as possible. Read article
Matthew Harris · The Conversation 03 Mar 2022How much snow does each visitor 'melt' in the Antarctic? The answer may surprise youFrom 2019-20, 74,000 people visited Antarctica, the majority by ship. The travel and resulting stay produce black carbon that accelerates climate change. Read article
Taimoor Sohail and Jan Zika · The Conversation 04 Mar 2022Here's how climate change affects our ability to harness fresh waterLarge shifts in the water cycle mean that dry areas become drier, and wet areas become wetter - meaning more droughts and extreme flooding, warn scientists. Read article
Ronald Tardiff · World Ocean Initiative 02 Mar 202212 organizations delivering on the promise of blue carbonThe UpLink Blue Carbon Challenge sourced 12 innovative solutions to harness the potential of blue carbon markets to support conservation and restoration. Read article
Leanne Geale 28 Feb 2022The time is now to commit to a binding global framework to address plastic pollutionPlastics are filling our environment. At the United Nations Environmental Assembly, world leaders must strike a binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Read article
Douglas Broom 21 Feb 2022Ocean plastic pollution threatens marine extinction says new studyOcean plastic pollution will increase fourfold unless we curb our use of this ubiquitous but deadly substance says a new study. Read article
Vanessa Johnston · Reuters 18 Feb 2022Saving endangered marine life with illuminated fishing netsResearchers have found that using LED lights on fishing nets could prevent endangered species such as sharks, sea turtles, and rays from being entangled. Read article
Kate Whiting 18 Feb 2022Spain's ghost village, sea level rise and the global nature pact: Everything to know about the environment this weekTop environment stories: pollution causing more deaths than COVID; US sea levels may rise 60cm by 2050; Spanish village reappears as drought dries reservoir. Read article
Tom Cameron · The Conversation 18 Feb 2022Overfishing is producing ‘supergenes’ in cod. Here's howSupergenes found in cod have highlighted how they have adapted to overfishing, and scientists say these will make them more resilient to climate change. Read article
Douglas Broom 17 Feb 2022Pharmaceuticals are present in almost all the world's rivers, study finds80% of the wastewater is discharged untreated into the environment, so the the drugs we use to improve health are finding their way into our rivers. Read article
Brooke Williams , Amelia Wenger , and James Watson · The Conversation 17 Feb 2022Just 16% of the world’s coastlines are in good shape – and many are so bad they can never fully recoverResearch has found that only 16% of the world's coastal regions are in good condition, and there are many so damaged that are beyond full restoration. Read article
Jonathan Saul, Kate Abnett, and Nina Chestney · Reuters 16 Feb 2022Carbon trading: Why shipping should be included in the EU's emissions systemEnvironmental campaigners say efforts by the shipping industry to cut emissions are too slow, but inclusion in the European Union Emissions Trading System could speed it up. Read article
Simon Torkington 11 Feb 2022These innovations are pulling plastic pollution out of rivers to stop it reaching our ocean. Here’s howMuch of the plastic pollution in the world’s oceans flows into them from rivers. But these innovations capture plastic in inland waterways and recycle it. Read article
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Hawthorne Beyer, and Abhinav Chugh 10 Feb 2022How coral resilience can improve ocean conservation – Experts explainA Nobel-winning stock market theory is being used to pick 50 reefs as ‘sanctuaries’ to survive climate crisis and revive coral elsewhere. Read article
Kathryn Saducas and Caroline Slootweg 10 Feb 2022Is the answer to land-based agriculture found in the ocean?Research is showing that seaweed and products derived from it could help fight climate change while addressing many challenges facing the agriculture industry Read article
Nicolas Gruber, Philip Boyd, Thomas Frölicher, and Meike Vogt · Carbon Brief 31 Jan 2022Why oceans could face more extremes like the Pacific ‘Blob’The largest marine heatwave is called the "Blob", occurring in the North Pacific in 2015, which had catastrophic consequences for our marine ecosystems. Read article
30 Jan 2022Statement from Friends of Ocean Action: 2022 can be the year the world halts the decline in ocean healthMembers of Friends of Ocean Action have endorsed a statement released today calling for ambitious action in 2022 to achieve a healthy, thriving ocean and advance the Sustainable Developme... Read more
Robert Jones, Bill Dewey, and Barton Seaver 28 Jan 2022Aquaculture: why the world needs a new wave of food productionWith demand for food production growing on land-based agriculture under increasing pressure from climate change, our ocean and seas could provide a fertile alternative. Read article
Charlotte Edmond 27 Jan 2022There are even nanoplastics at the North and South Poles - and they’re a bigger problem than we thoughtTiny nanoplastics are widespread and could be harmful to our health - and ever more of them are being created as discarded plastics break down in nature. Read article
Sally Warner · The Conversation 24 Jan 2022What causes a tsunami? An ocean scientist explains the physics of these destructive wavesTsunamis are created by a different mechanism from waves -when an underwater earthquake, volcanic eruption or landslide displaces a large amount of water. Read article
Kate Whiting 21 Jan 2022Paradigm shifts and pristine coral reefs: Everything to know about the environment this weekUN chief appeals for support for developing countries; German chancellor calls for 'paradigm shift' on climate action; pristine coral reef found off Tahiti. Read article
20 Jan 2022Policy measures can make zero-emission shipping commercially viable“Closing the Gap“ is the title of a new report outlining policy measures that could close the competitiveness gap between fossil fuels and zero-emission alternatives in shipping as well a... Read more
Jim Leape and Hugh Welsh 20 Jan 2022How sustainable aquaculture can help meet the growing demand for blue foodDemand for blue food is expected to double by 2050, which will have environmental and social implications. The world needs sustainable aquaculture systems. Read article
Charlotte Edmond 19 Jan 2022We know plastic pollution is bad – but how exactly is it linked to climate change?Plastic pollution poses problems for our environment. Here are the various ways it’s contributing to the climate crisis - and what can be done about it. Read article
Kevin Trenberth · The Conversation 19 Jan 2022Climate change: Understanding the threat of ocean warmingThe world’s oceans are hotter than ever recorded, and their heat has increased each decade since the 1960s. This severely impacts the world's weather systems. Read article
Mbaru Emmanuel, Jacqueline Lau, and Sarah Ruth Sutcliffe · The Conversation 19 Jan 2022How COVID affected Kenya's fisheries In Kenya, fishers, fish traders, and coastal communities faced severe livelihood and food security challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read article
Paige Bennett · EcoWatch 18 Jan 2022Ships could bring invasive species to Antarctica, study warnsNon-native species are entering Antarctica's ecosystems by catching rides on ships from 1,500 global ports that come to the region, according to a study. Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 18 Jan 20222021 ocean temperatures were warmest on recordScientists say ocean temperature is a better way to measure global warming, as natural weather cycles don't impact the ocean in the same way as the air. Read article
Hannah Evans and David Obura 17 Jan 2022How scientific research can enable stricter plastic pollution lawsPlastic pollution is a global problem that harms ecosystems. A project in Africa is working with scientists to research the effects of plastic on the ocean. Read article
Zhu Chunquan and Gim Huay Neo 16 Jan 2022This is why China needs to become nature positive - and how to do it China is in a unique position to lead the transition to a carbon neutral and net zero economy. Without it, its economy is risking loss and disruption. Read article
Markus Steilemann 14 Jan 2022It's time to shift to net-zero emissions plasticsMost plastic is made from fossil fuel, which accounts for 8% of global oil consumption. Here's how we can turn plastics from a climate enemy into an ally Read article
Kirsten Salyer and Beatrice Di Caro 13 Jan 2022The Davos Agenda 2022 brings together world leaders to address the state of the worldThe Davos Agenda 2022 virtual event, 17-21 January, will feature heads of state, CEOs and other leaders discussing critical challenges and how to address them. Read article
Katie Wood and Lauretta Burke · World Resources Institute 12 Jan 2022What must be done to protect coral reefs? Experts explainBetween 2009 and 2018, coral cover has progressively declined by 14% putting reefs and the biodiversity that relies on them at risk. Read article
Peter Giger 11 Jan 2022Global Risks 2022: The 'disorderly' net-zero transition is here and it’s time to embrace itWe must not let the risks of a disorderly net-zero transition become an excuse for slowing the journey to net-zero. Instead, we should grasp the opportunities that this change will create. Read article
Jennifer Chu · MIT News 09 Jan 2022Scientists have built a new map of the ocean’s oxygen-starved waters. Here's why it mattersScientists have created a three-dimensional atlas of the oxygen-deficient zones in the world's oceans to better understand how they change over time. Read article
Jesse Fahnestock and Aparajit Pandey 05 Jan 2022How green corridors can enable the transition to zero-emission shipping Green corridors offer a way to scale zero-emission shipping industry solutions to meet climate targets by 2050. We examine how two trade routes could work. Read article
Saleem Mustafa · The Conversation 04 Jan 2022How to prevent mass extinction in the ocean using AI, robots and 3D printersSpecific new technologies, such as sensors, drones, robots and artificial intelligence have enormous capacity to help the world reach its ocean targets. Read article
Mogens L. Mathiesen 03 Jan 20224 reasons ocean industry should embrace data sharingBetter data sharing can boost economic growth and better protect the ocean. Here's how more transparency across ocean industries can build trust and a sustainable blue economy. Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 22 Dec 2021The Arctic Report Card shows the continued decline of sea iceThe Arctic region continues to warm twice as fast as the rest of the planet according to the annual report from the NOAA-led Arctic Program. Read article
20 Dec 2021Friends of Ocean Action supports call for adoption of WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies no later than February 2022 Read more
Brett Walton 20 Dec 2021In 2021, water crises took center stage. Here's how we can adaptThe last 12 months of floods and droughts showed extreme events are happening more often and everywhere. Here's how the world can adapt in the new year. Read article
Sayef Tanzeem Qayyum and Ahmed Shawky · World Bank 18 Dec 2021This is how Dhaka can restore its river ecosystemsThe capital city of Dhaka in central Bangladesh is currently the fourth-least livable city in the world. Here's how it can clean up its vital river systems. Read article
Ilan Kelman · The Conversation 16 Dec 2021Flooding: how can vulnerable regions build resilience?This involves taking steps to mitigate risks before storms strike; for example, building on safer, higher land and improving forest and river management. Read article
Charlotte Edmond 14 Dec 2021New York is building a wall of oysters to fight floodingA reef of shellfish could help New York City square up to the threat of storms and floods linked to climate change. Read article
10 Dec 2021Job opportunity with Friends of Ocean ActionJoin Friends of Ocean Action as the new Impact Pillar Lead for Activating Ocean Finance! Read more
10 Dec 2021Request for proposals: at-sea processing researchFriends of Ocean Action is seeking a consultant(s) or company to undertake research and write a white paper that will capture details and data on the capacity for processing of seafood at... Read more
Jennifer J. Sara · World Bank 05 Dec 2021Why water is central to the global recovery from the pandemicClimate change is felt most deeply through water, with higher temperatures leading to droughts, floods, and rainfall variability, impacting low-income countries. Read article
Douglas Broom 02 Dec 2021Around the world, these are just some of the cities at risk of rising sea levelsRising sea levels pose a significant threat to major coastal cities - even if we could halt global warming. Read article
Nick Routley · Visual Capitalist 01 Dec 2021How deep are the world's oceans, lakes and drill holes? This visualization shows youA new visualization by xkcd offers a unique look at the world's oceans, lakes and drill holes. Read article
Rikako Murayama and Aaron Sheldrick 25 Nov 2021This Japanese start-up has designed a wind turbine that can work in typhoonsA Japanese start-up has designed a wind turbine that works during cyclones, turning Japan's 26 annual typhoons and tropical storms into reliable energy sources. Read article
Monica Noon and Allie Goldstein 25 Nov 2021What is 'irrecoverable carbon' and how do we protect the ecosystems that store it?Scientists have found that certain areas are uniquely important carbon vaults. If destroyed, these ecosystems could take decades or centuries to regenerate. Read article
University of Copenhagen · Futurity 24 Nov 2021Here's how a new type of X-ray could save a 500-year-old shipA new X-ray method has allowed researchers to identify zinc-sulfide nanoparticles on the timbers of the Mary Rose, helping conservationists preserve it. Read article
Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen · Reuters 22 Nov 2021Climate-friendly farming: Greenland's melting glaciers offer an answerGlacial rock flour, the small silt deposits from glacial melt, could help boost farm yields around the world as it allows plants to access to nutrients. Read article
Lisa Shumaker and Timothy Gardner · Reuters 22 Nov 2021These 'rivers in the sky' are causing massive flooding in CanadaAtmospheric rivers carry up to 15 times the volume of the Mississippi River, according to the NASA Earth Observatory and are causing flooding in Canada's British Columbia. Read article
Tom Abate · Futurity 20 Nov 2021These microrobots imitate starfish larva and could help treat tumorsMicrorobots are predicted to revolutionize healthcare, designed to swim through the body to deliver medication to specific areas and perform surgical procedures. Read article
Peter Thomson 19 Nov 2021Will WTO members act now to end harmful fisheries subsidies?Members of the WTO have been negotiating rules for two decades to stop harmful fisheries subsidies. Will they fulfil their commitment to protect the ocean? Read article
Douglas Broom 15 Nov 2021These blue carbon ecosystems could slow climate changeSeagrass, mangroves, and salt marshes could help us slow climate change. These blue carbon ecosystems could deliver 20% of the carbon cuts needed by 2050. Read article
Colin Packham · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 11 Nov 2021COP26: Tuvalu minister delivers speech in the ocean to raise awareness about rising sea levelsSimon Kofe, Tuvalu's foreign minister, addressed the COP26 climate summit while standing knee-deep in the seawater that threatens to submerge his country. Read article
10 Nov 2021The Next Wave: Green Corridors can get the ball rolling on the transition to zero-emission shippingZero-emission fuels and vessels must start being deployed at scale over the next decade to achieve full decarbonisation of the shipping sector by 2050. Scaling the first pilots and demons... Read more
Matteo Spagnolo · The Conversation 10 Nov 2021Ice stupas: How artificial glaciers supply water to some of the driest places on EarthArtificial glaciers can serve as a source of fresh water for communities and ecosystems in the driest places, like India and South America. Read article
Victoria Masterson 04 Nov 2021How a great plankton migration could pose a 'serious threat' to ocean ecosystems and the planetOcean plankton are migrating from tropical waters towards the cooler poles as the earth warms, scientists have found, bringing potentially dire consequences to the food web. Read article
Hamid Mehmood · The Conversation 03 Nov 2021New tools to map flood risk will help bring disaster planning up to dateWater-related disasters are accountable for 325,000 fatalities and over $1.7 trillion economic loss across the world. This shows the need for mapping tools. Read article
03 Nov 2021UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean urges APEC leaders to stop unsustainable fishingThe UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and Co-Chair of Friends of Ocean Action, Peter Thomson, has written to each of the leaders of the 21 Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperat... Read more
Robin Pomeroy 02 Nov 2021COP26: The Great Melt - tales from the front lines of climate changeAs COP26 opens, Radio Davos hears from a journalist who has covered many climate summits and reported from remote corners of the world on global warming. Read article
01 Nov 2021Relay4Nature arrives in Glasgow for global climate conference COP26Nature’s Baton, the symbol of Relay4Nature, has been welcomed at the landmark event by Vel Gnanendran, Director for Climate and Environment, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Read more
28 Oct 2021WTO must ban harmful fisheries subsidies, urge nearly 300 scientistsAhead of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference, the topmost decision-making body of the WTO, scientists around the world sign a letter urging the WTO to end har... Read more
Jesse Fahnestock and Tristan Smith 27 Oct 2021This new strategy is paving the way for net-zero shipping A new strategy for the transition to zero-emission shipping outlines what it will take for the industry to move away from fossil fuels towards a green future. Read article
27 Oct 2021Industry leaders call on COP26 to commit to decarbonize international shipping by 2050The Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization, urging world leaders to take action to align shipping with the Paris Agreement temperature goal, was today delivered to the UK Presidency ... Read more
27 Oct 2021With concerted collaborative action, full decarbonization of international shipping by 2050 is doable Read more
David L. Chandler · MIT News 24 Oct 2021How marsh grass could help protect us from climate changeCoastal marsh plants provide significant protection from surges and devastating storms. New research shows how they can be effectively restored and managed. Read article
Charlotte HSU-Buffalo · Futurity 21 Oct 2021One species or two? Decade-old debate on coral might finally be overResearch has revealed that Plexaura homomalla and kükenthali are two separate species of coral. Scientists have struggled to differentiate them in the past. Read article
Monica Machicao · Reuters 21 Oct 2021Prey to project: Fishermen and scientists have teamed up to save Bolivia's pink river dolphinsBolivian fishermen who once hunted rare pink dolphins are monitoring their behavior to help scientists understand the threats they face. Read article
Katharine Rooney 21 Oct 2021These stunning photographs show how vital mangroves are to the health of the planetNow in its seventh year, the Mangrove Photography Award raises awareness about the importance of maintaining these valuable woodland ecosystems. Read article
Kevin Krajick · Columbia University 17 Oct 2021Last Ice Area: Where multi-year Arctic sea ice could make its final standResearchers have coalesced around the idea of what they have called the Last Ice Area—the region where multi-year ice will likely make a last stand. Read article
Jessica Blythe, Colette Wabnitz, Gary Pickering, Julia Baird, Kirsty L Nash, and Nathan Bennett · The Conversation 14 Oct 2021VR can encourage people to save our oceans. Here's whyExperts believe that if we could help people empathize with the ocean and the marine life within, they would try harder to protect it. Read article
Anthony Robert Hobley, Faustine Delasalle, and Emma Skov Christiansen 13 Oct 2021To reach net zero, the shipping sector needs political supportTackling emissions in the shipping sector is essential to achieving international targets, but it will only be possible through large-scale collaboration. Read article
Florian Zandt · Statista 13 Oct 2021Coral reefs are dying. This is where they are most affectedThe world has lost a significant amount of its coral reefs, with some regions losing more than others. Factors including climate change have caused this. Read article
13 Oct 2021Critical Decarbonization Technologies Need at Least “10x” Investment to Hit Zero Emission TargetsInnovative, early-stage technologies like hydrogen-based fuels, carbon capture and bioenergy are in urgent need of funding to scale globally and help organizations hit zero emission targets
Katharine Palmer and Sturla Henriksen 12 Oct 2021How companies can decarbonize shipping supply chains and protect human rightsTechnological advancements for decarbonizing shipping are also progressing but must be further financed and brought to scale for social inclusivity. Read article
Joe Myers and Kate Whiting 09 Oct 2021Coral reefs, climate targets and Nobel prize winners: Everything to know about the environment this weekTop stories: World's coral faces 'existential crisis'; EU to back five-year climate targets at COP26; Trio of scientists win Physics Nobel Prize for climate work. Read article
Suzanna Burgelman · Frontiers 08 Oct 2021This is how much plastic debris is floating in the Mediterranean Sea Researchers have created a model, tracking the pathways of land-based micro and macro-plastics to the sea. Read article
James Redmayne and Jill Gralow · Reuters 08 Oct 2021These 'living seawalls' are bringing ocean life back to Sydney HarbourResearchers in Australia have come together to develop a seawall to provide habitats for marine life in Sydney Harbour. Read article
Alexander Court 08 Oct 2021Why the ocean is our ally in fighting climate change: experts tell Radio Davos their hopes for COP26 The ocean plays a huge role in regulating the climate. As we head to COP26, Radio Davos dips into tropical and Arctic waters and speaks to the UN oceans tsar. Read article
Dave Little and Richard Newton · The Conversation 07 Oct 2021How better use of 'blue foods' help us meet climate change and food security goalsNew research, known as the 'Blue Food Assessment', has shown that these foods could help to us to meet the challenges of climate change and food security. Read article
Chen Zhao and Rupert Gladstone · The Conversation 07 Oct 2021Scientists still don’t know how far melting in Antarctica will go – or the sea level rise it will unleashFuture sea level rise poses challenges like human displacement, infrastructure loss, interference with agriculture and coastal habitat degradation. Read article
Ayesha Tandon · Carbon Brief 06 Oct 2021Arctic sea ice summer minimum in 2021 is ‘12th lowest’ on recordArctic sea ice has reached its annual minimum for 2021, clocking in at the 12th lowest on record, according to provisional data from the NSIDC. Read article
Laura Gersony · Circle of Blue 06 Oct 2021The town that flood-proofed itselfOttawa, Illinois, receives runoff from the Illinois and Fox river watersheds making flooding long a part of life. The city has worked to limit its impact, though. Read article
Roli Srivastava · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 06 Oct 2021How flood-prone Mumbai is tackling climate change, from underground tunnels to newer sewersMumbai launched its first Climate Action Plan to bring together different arms of the administration to try to fast-track solutions against climate change and flooding. Read article
Brett Walton · Circle of Blue 05 Oct 2021Research shows droughts push more people to migrate than floodsPeople are five times as likely to move following drought conditions as they are after floods or periods of excess water, according to World Bank research. Read article
Alex Fraser · Reuters 05 Oct 2021Italy's first-ever 'living lab' is helping marine biologists tackle climate changeSanta Teresa Bay has become Italy's first underwater 'living' lab, providing data to study extreme weather events and measure the effect of climate change on seawater. Read article
ETH Zurich · Futurity 05 Oct 2021What is 'marine snow' and how does it help the ocean to store carbon?Marine snow transports carbon into the ocean's depths; 1% of its carbon dioxide lies buried in the seafloor for thousands of years. Read article
Chris Sweeney · Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health 26 Sep 2021Increasing production of aquatic foods is a win-win for people and planetSustainably ramping up the production of seafood is critical to addressing staggering global levels of malnutrition and associated micronutrient deficiencies, a new study finds. Read article
Joe Myers 23 Sep 2021'A voice in the wilderness': The man who spent 12 gruelling days swimming in the ArcticLewis Pugh has recently completed a 12-day swim in the freezing waters off Greenland to send a message about the human impact on Earth. Read article
Tara Marshall · The Conversation 23 Sep 2021How a new app helps fishing boats avoid netting endangered speciesA number of fishing vessels have been using BATmap, a real-time app that helps boats to avoid catching endangered marine species caught up in the nets. Read article
Emily Kelly 23 Sep 202111 innovations shaping global food systems from the waterBlue foods have traditionally been undervalued in their contribution to global food systems. These innovations from around the world aim to change that. Read article
Sonia Fernandez · Futurity 22 Sep 2021Could 'blue foods' play a greater role in delivering more sustainable nutrition?Some people believe that fisheries and aquaculture have the potential to improve the world's food systems. Read article
22 Sep 2021Friends of Ocean Action launches initiatives to scale blue foods and boost ocean healthNew initiatives amplify role of the ocean in global food systems transformation and resilience.
Veronica Scotti 22 Sep 2021Mexico’s Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is now being protected with insurance - here's howMesoamerican Barrier Reef in Mexico is now insured. Insurers are working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector to build the business case for nature-led solutions that protect ou... Read article
22 Sep 2021Over 150 industry leaders and organizations call for decisive government action to enable full decarbonization of international shipping by 2050
Whitney Johnston 21 Sep 2021What are blue carbon credits and how to maximise their impactUnderstand blue carbon credits and the four ways businesses driving their demand can help optimise outcomes for people and planet. Read article
16 Sep 2021 Study reveals Mexico’s great potential for driving green shipping fuel productionMexico’s potential for renewable energy generation, the location of its ports on busy shipping routes, and strong trading relations make the country well suited as a zero-carbon shipping ...
Cassandra Garrison, Clare Baldwin, and Marco Hernandez · Reuters 16 Sep 2021A race against time: Scientists are rushing to collect ice cores before glaciers meltScientists are racing to collect ice cores, containing critical climate information, before global warming melts glaciers and ice sheets around the world. Read article
Olivia Rosane · EcoWatch 15 Sep 2021First-ever coral reef world map in high-resolution is readyHave a look at the coral reef world map. The mapping tool allows policymakers, conservationists, and the public to understand the coral reef map across the world, with the aim of protecti... Read article
Joe Myers 08 Sep 20214 tuna species are showing signs of recovery. Here's what that tells us about the future of fisheries An update to the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species shows hope for four commercially fished tuna species - but work remains to protect marine life. Read article
Anjan Ray 06 Sep 20213 steps towards making aviation and marine fuel cleanerThere is increasing onus on the aviation and shipping sectors to decarbonize – but more action is needed to make sustainable fuels viable Read article
Steven D. Miller · The Conversation 31 Aug 2021The nocturnal phenomenon of milky seas, explained by scienceEvents called 'milky seas' are a 'rare nocturnal phenomenon in which the ocean's surface emits a steady bright glow'. These have been observed for centuries. Read article
Johnny Wood 31 Aug 2021This underwater sculpture park is helping rewild marine ecosystems. Here’s how‘Living’ sculptures of giant trees, and even people, are turning art into marine conservation beneath the waters of the Mediterranean sea. Read article
Tiffany Duong · EcoWatch 24 Aug 2021Human noise pollution is causing seagrass beds to uproot themselvesHuman-created noise pollution is altering seagrass beds on a cellular level and causing them to uproot themselves, according to a study. Read article
Emily Howells and David Abrego · The Conversation 24 Aug 2021Could selective breeding help coral reefs cope with climate change?With global sea temperatures on the rise, the world's coral population is suffering. However, selective breeding could offer a lifeline in helping them withstand harsher conditions. Read article
Rumaitha Al Busaidi 19 Aug 2021What is integrated aquaculture and how can it help feed the world?Systems that link two or more farming activities, at least one of which is a fish-farming activity, could provide sustainable solutions to food security. Read article
Thomas Thune Andersen · Race To Zero 17 Aug 2021Why meeting the Paris Agreement means managing the oceanSustainable management of the ocean is vital for the livelihoods of millions, as well as the planet's overall health, offering food and renewable energy. Read article
Harrison Tasoff · Futurity 17 Aug 2021How climate change is making fish droppings harmful to coralFish pooing on coral has always been a normal part of marine ecosystems; however, warmer temperatures now mean that this can now be problematic. Read article
Johnny Wood 14 Aug 2020Study finds sharks are ‘functionally extinct’ in 20% of reefs observedDespite falling populations, video evidence shows conservation efforts can help these marine predators survive and thrive. Read article
Emma Charlton 12 Aug 2021'You can't have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean': interview with UN Special Envoy for the OceanPeter Thomson, the United Nations’ Special Envoy for the Ocean, says global leaders need to heighten their ambitions as they head to November’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Read article
Tiffany Duong · EcoWatch 12 Aug 2021Why planting mangroves can help save the planetFrom preventing coastal flooding to filtering water, mangroves help the planet in multiple ways. But they're under threat from tourism, agriculture and more. Read article
Sonia Fernandez · Futurity 12 Aug 2021Climate change: This is when the ocean started to warmThe ocean maintained a relatively steady temperature for most of the 20th century before rising steeply, according to new research by UC Santa Barbara. Read article
Nina Chestney and Andrea Januta · Reuters 09 Aug 2021IPCC report: UN Secretary-General describes climate crisis as 'code red for humanity'U.N. Secretary-General described the IPCC report as a "code red for humanity", urging an immediate end to coal energy and other high-polluting fossil fuels. Read article
David Karoly · The Conversation 09 Aug 2021What is the IPCC report and why does it matter? Know what is the IPCC report? (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has released its new report, giving world leaders the most up-to-date information about climate change. Read article
Suzanna Burgelman · Frontiers 09 Aug 2021Why are young turtles ingesting more plastic than other sea creatures?Small juvenile turtles are most at risk from harmful plastic pollution due to their feeding preferences and habitat locations. Read article
Kim Harrisberg · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 10 Aug 2021Warming oceans: Zanzibar's seaweed farmers are turning to ocean sponges to help stay afloat Climate change is negatively impacting seaweed farms, forcing farmers to turn to sea sponges that can withstand climate shocks and protect their income. Read article
Tiff-Annie Kenny, Malaya Bishop, and Mélanie Lemire · The Conversation 06 Aug 2021How climate change is affecting lives in seaside communitiesFrom increased pollution levels to declines in seafood catches, climate change is starving the ocean of life. Here's how this will impact global human health. Read article