EDFish

Illuminating coastal seas: A new paradigm for ocean observing

By EDF Oceans / Published: February 22, 2024

By Christopher Cusack (EDF) and Cooper Van Vranken (Ocean Data Network)

In the early hours of October 25, 2023, Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, with peak winds of 165 mph wreaking havoc on communities in its path. Normally, people would have had a chance to prepare but just the day before, the consensus of models forecasted that Otis would remain a tropical storm. Within hours of these predictions, Otis exploded into a Category 5 storm, the most intense classification. When the skies eventually cleared, the damage stood at a staggering $16 billion, and at least 53 people had lost their lives.

Also posted in Climate Change, International, Seafood / Comments are closed

Can seaweed really help fight global warming? Here’s what we know so far.

By Rod Fujita / Bio / Published: December 21, 2023

We’re seeing the impacts of climate change in real time. There is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere to avoid more catastrophic climate change impacts. This will require both reductions in GHG emissions and the removal of GHGs from the atmosphere. In recent years, this need has driven interest in seaweed as a natural climate solution, as seaweed can absorb carbon and grow quickly.

Also posted in Climate Change, Seafood / Comments are closed

New platform seeks to prevent ocean conflict in the face of climate change

By EDF Oceans / Published: December 12, 2023

By Jacqui Vogel (EDF) and Dr. Sarah Glaser (WWF)

Oceans are under immense threat from climate change. Around the world, oceanographic changes like melting sea ice, warming waters, sea level rise and shifting fish populations make access to marine resources more uncertain and less secure.

Climate change threatens to disrupt the communities, supply chains and food systems that rely on marine systems that are now rapidly changing. An impact of climate change is conflict in the ocean, including conflict over shifting and shrinking natural resources. Fisheries conflicts have increased 20-fold over the last 40 years, and 23% of all fish stocks are expected to shift in distribution by 2030. But scientists are working on a solution.

Also posted in Climate Change, Policy, Seafood / Comments are closed

The Marrakech Partnership at COP28: Launching the 2030 breakthroughs and what that means for coastal communities

By Karly Kelso / Bio / Published: December 5, 2023

Graphic courtesy of Climate Champions.

The world is gathered in Dubai for the 28^th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework for Climate Change Convention, otherwise known as COP28. Over a two-week span, government delegations come together to negotiate what actions the world needs to take to achieve a future under 1.5 degrees. This will set the tone for government action and help guide policies to achieve the ambitions of the Paris Agreement. Read More »

Also posted in International, Policy, Seafood / Tagged Blue Foods, COP, Marrakech Partnership, United Nations Framework for Climate Change Convention | Comments are closed

Science to Action: a ten-year review of California’s MPA Network

By Jacob Eurich / Published: September 12, 2023

Marine protected areas (MPA) are a conservation tool that sets aside part of the ocean to protect it for long-term conservation, similar to the way a state or national park functions on land. These MPAs are an effective way to preserve biodiversity by protecting ecosystems. But how are they utilized by people, and do they support human engagement? And, while conservation alone is important, will MPAs build climate resilience?

Also posted in Policy, Seafood / Tagged California, Climate change, Marine Protected Areas, MPAs | Comments are closed

Seaweed to Slow Down Climate Change: Ready? Or Not?

By Rod Fujita / Bio / Published: August 15, 2023

Seaweed is a hot solution for mitigating climate change. Can this carbon-absorbing powerhouse really help?

Seaweed is having a moment. I’ve been working on seaweed for 40 years, and I’ve never seen so many headlines about how seaweed can save the planet.

I can understand why. The need to save the planet is more pressing than ever. We must now dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same time, increase the planet’s capacity to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere to prevent even more catastrophic impacts of global warming.

Also posted in Seafood / Tagged Aquaculture, Blue Carbon, carbon, climate, Climate change, research, science, seaweed, seaweed farming, sustainability | Comments are closed