Monday, November 30, 2009

Sailors for the Sea Collaborates on Ocean Health

http://www.sailorsforthesea.org/About-Sailors-for-the-Sea/Press-Releases/Sailors-for-the-Sea-Collaborates-on-Ocean-Health.aspx

Sailors for the Sea Collaborates with Ocean Conservation Groups to Help Raise Awareness of Ocean Health; Participates in Sign-on Letter Organized by Blue Climate Solutions

Purpose of letter addressed to President Obama is to garner support for marine conservation solutions and marine science research


Newport, Rhode Island - November 30, 2009 - Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation group focused on the sailing and boating community, earlier this month joined forces with Blue Climate Solutions, a project of The Ocean Foundation, in an effort to promote marine conservation through a sign-on letter campaign.

The letter advocates for carbon offsets for marine conservation efforts and offers sound suggestions that the U.S. government support:

  • The option for marine conservation solutions to climate change [to be considered] in national climate change legislation and international climate change treaties
  • Marine science research that further explores natural ocean carbon solutions

Co-founder of Sailors for the Sea and advisor to The Ocean Foundation, David Rockefeller, Jr. explaining his support for the letter says, "As scientists continue to study the causes of excess carbon, it is clear that our oceans are as much the victim of CO2 as our lakes were the victim of acid rain. What is not in doubt is that human ingenuity can respond in ways that mitigate the negative impacts of excess carbon while we strive to reduce our own substantial contributions of CO2 into the air and waters of our planet."


Drafted by the Blue Climate Solutions, the sign-on letter is a collaboration among various ocean and marine health and conservation groups aimed at raising awareness of the fragility of the world's oceans and the need for effective solutions and marine science research to mitigate additional future negative impact on the oceans.


Dr. Sylvia Earle, a well-respected oceanographer and conservationist, endorsed the effort as the first scientist to sign-on. In addition to securing Dr. Earle's support, the campaign references the UNEP's Blue Carbon Report (October, 2009) which illustrates the carbon capturing potential of coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, swamps, seagrass beds and salt marshes (available at: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/blue-carbon/).


Carbon offsets are a major feature in climate change legislation pending in Congress and expected to produce the world's largest single carbon market (worth an estimated $10B/year), the potential to advance marine conservation is enormous. These offsets are currently targeted for forestry conservation projects. The sign-on campaign supporters strongly believe that given the critical role oceans and coastal ecosystems play in the global carbon cycle, directing some of those funds toward marine conservation will have dramatic impact on effecting change - for the better.


Additional supporting materials are available:

Blue Carbon Report (UNEP)

http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/blue-carbon/

Carbon Offsets: The Next Multibillion-dollar Energy Industry:

http://www.elp.com/index/display/article-display//_saveArticle/articles/electric-light-power/volume-87/Issue_4/columns/carbon-offsets__the.QP129867.adPoolId%3DELP%3Epennnet%3Ecom%3Carticle_tool_bar.adLocationId%3DLeft1.dynamicAd%3Dno.brandLogo%3D.html

Tropical Forest Conservation in Waxman-Markey

http://www.rff.org/wv/archive/2009/06/09/tropical-forest-conservation-in-waxman-markey.aspx

About Sailors for the Sea

Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect and restore our oceans and coastal waters. For more information on or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

‘Blue Climate Coalition’ Pushes Marine Conservation Angle

http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/11/21/blue-climate-coalition-pushes-marine-conservation-angle/

gilles_marini_shirtless_sexy-dad-dancing-with-the stars-brothers & Sisters-satcA large international coalition has urged the United States to support ocean conservation in an effort to help mitigate climate change.

The ‘Blue Climate Coalition,’ comprised of sixty-six conservation groups and interests and over 150 marine scientists and professionals, from 33 countries, sent communications addressed to President Obama and the United States Senate.

The letters request the option for marine conservation solutions to climate change to be considered in national climate change legislation and international climate change treaties, and support for marine science research that further explores this concept.

It appears that Gilles Marini, from Dancing With the Stars (and the full frontal shower scene in the Sex and the City movie, ahem), also signed the letters as a supporter of healthy oceans.

Philippe, Jr., and Alexandra Cousteau, grandchildren of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, signed-on, representing their respective conservation organizations EarthEcho International and Blue Legacy International.

A wide range of interests were represented in the coalition letters: environmental conservation, climate change education and advocacy, ecosystem restoration, the dive industry, ecotourism and sustainable travel, carbon offsetting, fishing, and scientific research.

And, for the record, in my selection of image, I took it upon myself to ensure representation for those interested in photos of shirtless men. I hope that it will also somewhat offset the image in the post below.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Healthy Oceans Can Help Save Us From Climate Change

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/healthy-oceans-can-help-save-us-from-climate-change-70396897.html

Healthy Oceans Can Help Save Us From Climate Change

International coalition advances marine conservation as part of the solution to climate change

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A large international coalition today urged the United States to support marine conservation options that will help mitigate climate change.

The 'Blue Climate Coalition,' comprised of sixty-six conservation groups and interests and over 150 marine scientists and professionals, from 33 countries, issued communications today addressed to President Obama and the United States Senate.

Together, the coalition letters request the option for marine conservation solutions to climate change to be considered in national climate change legislation and international climate change treaties, and support for marine science research that further explores this concept.

Eminent oceanographer and conservationist, Dr. Sylvia Earle, endorsed the letters as the first scientist to sign-on. In her latest book, 'The World Is Blue,' Earle reveals how dangerous oceanic change threatens the very existence of life on Earth and argues for renewable strategies that safeguard the natural systems that sustain us.

News of the coalition's effort made its way to Hollywood, and to the notice of Gilles Marini, most recently of 'Sex and the City' and 'Dancing With the Stars.' Gilles signed the letters as a supporter of healthy oceans.

Philippe, Jr., and Alexandra Cousteau, grandchildren of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, signed-on, representing their respective conservation organizations EchoEarth International and Blue Legacy International.

A wide range of interests were represented in the coalition letters: environmental conservation, climate change education and advocacy, ecosystem restoration, the dive industry, ecotourism and sustainable travel, carbon offsetting, fishing, and scientific research.

Scientific Backing

The coalition's message is supported by reports released recently by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). UNEP's 'Blue Carbon' report highlights the carbon storage potential of coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and saltwater marsh lands.

The UNEP report found that the restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems and a reduction in the clearcutting of tropical forests could mitigate anthropogenic carbon emissions by up to 25%.

The IUCN report, titled 'The Ocean and Climate Change,' finds that failure to recognize the ocean in climate change discussions will have profound consequences for humanity. The report also recommends for additional research to quantify the carbon value of ocean ecosystems. This recommendation is echoed in the coalition letters, to ensure full scientific backing any future natural ocean carbon policies.

"Utilizing the natural carbon functions of both the green and blue biospheres of our planet is an option that we simply cannot afford to ignore if we are serious about tackling climate change and making the transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy," said Mark J. Spalding, President of The Ocean Foundation and signatory to the coalition letters.

The Urgency of Action

"The United States will play a crucial role in next month's climate change discussions in Copenhagen," said Steven J. Lutz, Executive Director of Blue Climate Solutions, the group that organized the letters. "We are asking the United States to show global leadership by advancing solutions for climate change that involve coastal and marine conservation. Many U.S. federal and state agencies are already pursuing actions that could be considered climate mitigation, such as the restoration of coastal and estuarine habitats. These actions need to be continued and encouraged."

Recognizing the carbon value of healthy coastal and marine ecosystems may be significant for achieving consensus at the Copenhagen negotiations. The health of coastal ocean ecosystems is a critical issue for many developing countries, especially small island developing states. The need to restore the ocean's natural carbon function could help direct billions of dollars towards conservation efforts, while simultaneously supporting local economies and countering the threat of climate change throughout the globe.

Economic stimulus associated with restoring the ocean's natural carbon function include funding and investment for activities such as improving water quality, ecosystem restoration, coastal surveying, and the innovation of new environmental monitoring and restoration technologies.

"Restoring the ocean's natural ocean carbon function is proposed as an alternative to potentially harmful ocean geo-engineering schemes recently discussed in Congress," said Lutz. "Restoration activities that naturally fix carbon in to forms other than dissolved carbon will also not increase ocean acidification."

Environmental co-benefits associated with natural ocean carbon solutions include renewed and sustainable fisheries, the conservation of endangered marine species and birds, and the restoration of certain coastal ecosystems. Mangrove forests are considered essential habitat for many fish species, and healthy seagrass meadows are indispensable for endangered sea turtles and manatees.

"Sea turtle hatchlings need healthy coastal and marine ecosystems in order to survive," said Lutz. "It just so happens that we also need the same healthy ocean ecosystems to survive on this blue planet."

SOURCE Blue Climate Solutions

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Blue Climate Solutions: Promoting Marine Conservation

http://www.aroundtheamericas.org/story/Crew+Log+122+-+At+Sea,+10+34N,+057+45W

Squall

From Ocean Watch Crew Log 122 - At Sea, 10 34N, 057 45W

Weekend Update (Part One) by McCormick and Schrader Saturday, November 14, 2009

Blue Climate Solutions: Promoting Marine Conservation

Prior to arriving in San Juan, during our stop in Miami Ocean Watch was part of an open house organized by our port host, the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami. Among the folks we met there was Steven Lutz of a group called Blue Climate Solutions, A Project of The Ocean Foundation.

Last week, the crew of Ocean Watch joined our colleagues at Sailors for the Sea and forty-eight other organization as signatories in letters from Blue Climate Solutions to President Obama and the U.S. Senate to garner support for: 1) the option for marine conservation solutions to climate change to be considered in national climate change legislation and international climate change treaties and 2) marine science research that further explores natural ocean carbon solutions.

In a letter to the boat last week, Steven wrote:
"I am pleased to inform you that eminent oceanographer and conservationist, Dr. Silvia Earle, has endorsed this effort as the first scientist to sign on.

"You may be aware that UNEP released its Blue Carbon report last month, which illustrates the carbon capturing potential of coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangrove swamps, seagrass beds and salt marshes (available at www.grida.no/publications/rr/blue-carbon).

"As carbon offsets are a major feature in climate change legislation pending in Congress, and expected to produce the world's largest single carbon market (worth an estimated $10 billion per year), the potential to advance marine conservation is fantastic. These offset areas currently targeted for forestry conservation projects. Given the critical role our oceans and coastal ecosystems play in the global carbon cycle, why not some of those $$$ for marine conservation efforts?

"Please note that the word ‘natural' is highlighted in the letters to differentiate this option from geo-engineering. Additionally, natural solutions which store or sequester carbon in forms other than dissolved will NOT enhance ocean acidification (ocean acidification occurs when carbon remains free in its dissolved forms in the water)."

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Don’t shun the ocean – IUCN tells climate leaders

http://www.iucn.org/?4197/Dont-shun-the-ocean--IUCN-tells-climate-leaders

Failure to recognize the ocean in climate change discussions will have profound consequences for humanity, according to IUCN.

A month before world leaders meet in Copenhagen to strike a climate deal, IUCN releases The Ocean and Climate Change – Tools and Guidelines for Action, to help decision-makers understand the importance of the ocean in the global climate debate – and the cost of not taking action. The report provides a comprehensive view of the mitigation and adaptation strategies available, as well as a clear set of action recommendations.

“Maintaining biodiversity and restoring degraded ecosystems are cost-effective strategies for disaster risk reduction and will help poor communities adapt to climate change while ensuring the continued provision of vital services,” says Dorothée Herr, lead author of the report and IUCN’s Global Marine Program Officer.

The ocean is the earth’s most significant global heat buffer, and absorbs up to one third of the CO2 released by human activities. The ocean covers over seventy percent of our planet’s surface yet much less than one percent of the ocean is effectively protected. Marine ecosystems such as salt marshes, coral reefs and mangroves are among the most vulnerable to climate change, with millions of people relying on them for food, protection, tourism and development.

The report urges global leaders to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and to set reduction targets based on the latest science on ocean acidification and marine ecosystems. The report welcomes the development of sustainable marine renewable energy sources and promotes the use of coastal ecosystems as natural carbon sinks. The report however also carries an important warning to world leaders:

“We should explore all possible ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says Carl Gustaf Lundin, Head of IUCN Global Marine Programme. “But proposed actions such as ocean fertilization to increase carbon capture and storage need to be approached with caution as the possible impacts on the atmosphere and marine biodiversity may be severe and have not been fully evaluated.”

Notes to Editors

To read the full report visit:
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/the_ocean_and_climate_change.pdf

Executive Summary:
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/the_ocean_and_climate_change_executive_summary.pdf

Downloadable images are available and all credits should go to © Octavio Aburto.

Please note these photos may only be reproduced in connection with a story on this press release:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43107225@N04/sets/72157622615467799/

For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:

• Taffeta Gray, IUCN Marine Communications Officer, t +1 202 330 3615, e taffeta.gray@iucn.org

• Borjana Pervan, IUCN Media Relations, t+ 41 22 9990115, e mailto:borjana.pervan@iucn.org

Spokespeople:

• Tom Laughlin, Deputy Head IUCN Global Marine Programme e tom.Laughlin@iucn.org

• Carl Gustaf Lundin, Head, IUCN Global Marine Programme, e carl.lundin@iucn.org

The two main authors of the report were:

Dorothée Herr, IUCN’s Global Marine Program Officer

Grant Galland, co-author of the report and Ph.D. student with Scripps Institution of Oceanography

About IUCN

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.

IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.

www.iucn.org

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Blue Carbon – The Role of Healthy Oceans in Binding Carbon

http://marinebio.org/blog/?p=942

Oceans play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Not only do they represent the largest long-term sink for carbon but they also store and redistribute CO2. Some 93% of the earth’s CO2 (40 Tt) is stored and cycled through the oceans.

Blue CarbonThe ocean’s vegetated habitats, in particular mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses, cover <0.5%>

The rate of loss of these marine ecosystems is much higher than any other ecosystem on the planet – in some instances up to four times that of rainforests. Currently, on average, between 2–7% of our blue carbon sinks are lost annually, a seven-fold increase compared to only half a century ago. If more action is not taken to sustain these vital ecosystems, most may be lost within two decades. Halting degradation and restoring both the lost marine carbon sinks in the oceans and slowing deforestation of the tropical forests on land could result in mitigating emissions by up to 25%.

Sustaining blue carbon sinks will be crucial for ecosystem-based adaptation strategies that reduce vulnerability of human coastal communities to climate change. Halting the decline of ocean and coastal ecosystems would also generate economic revenue, food security and improve livelihoods in the coastal zone. It would also provide major economic and development opportunities for coastal communities around the world…

“Out of all the biological carbon captured in the world, over half is captured by marine living organisms hence it is called blue carbon.”

“The objective of this report is to highlight the critical role of the oceans and ocean ecosystems in maintaining our climate and in assisting policy makers to mainstream an oceans agenda into national and international climate change initiatives.”

Read/download the entire report here: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/blue-carbon/

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Move to restore mangrove forests (& store carbon)

Mangrove forests "have a high storage capacity for carbon, which helps to regulate the quantity of carbon dioxide in the environment.


They function like carbon factories by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert­ing them into organic material.


The organic materials are then absorbed into trees, mudflats and nearby waterways, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases."

_________________________________________________________

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/11/3/central/5022097&sec=central

Tuesday November 3, 2009

Story and photos by SALINA KHALID


YEARS ago, the whole of the Pulau Indah coastal area off Klang, was covered with mangrove trees. Now, only about 20% of the trees remain.

“This island used to be covered with 2,000ha to 3,000ha of mangrove forest but now only a small portion of it is left.

“Part of the area, which used to be a forest reserve had been degazetted a few years ago, allowing development but at the cost of these mangroves.

Old and new: A combination of natural restoration and manual planting will yield faster results for mangrove restoration in the area.

“Even areas that were not supposed to be affected suffered damage,” said Global Environment Centre (GEC) director Faizal Parish.

The trees were chopped to make way for development which also involved land clearing to provide access to the site.

Water flow into the mangrove forest was also interrupted due to the creation of an access road and this contributed to the damage.

“Some of the areas are recovering naturally, in others, the damage is still visible,” added Faizal.

In efforts to restore the mangroves, GEC together with the Selangor Forestry Department have started replanting activities in the area.

The first activity was launched on Saturday with about 1,500 bakau kurap (Rhizophora mucronata) saplings planted in the eastern tip of the island.

About 300 people, including the local community and students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tengku Ampuan Jemaah, Sekolah Menengah Datuk Hamzah, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pandamaran Jaya and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Perempuan Raja Zarina, took part in the exercise.

Starting early: Khairul Nizam Shaiful Bahari, nine, and Norhan Adli Haziq Hasbullah, 10, learning how to plant the mangrove tree during the tree-planting activity on Saturday

In addition to creating awareness on the importance of preserving the mangroves and its eco-system, the programme also hoped to instil a sense of ownership among the participants.

Despite the early morning drizzle, the participants got into the mudflats for the tree-planting.

“We want them to know how difficult it is to plant this tree and as such should not be chopped down easily.

“It is a living thing and they have to realise that there is a possibility that it might not survive,” said Faizal.

He hoped that the participants, especially the students, would come back to visit the trees that they had planted and help ensure their survival.

Faizal said they had chosen the site after finding it suitable for restoration.

He said although the area was damaged due to the nearby development, it had high potential for restoration.

“The water flow has improved and this will help the trees to survive. In some areas, we can see new trees, indicating that the area is recovering naturally.

“So these sapplings that we are planting will complement those that are growing naturally,” he said.

However, Faizal said it would take between three and four years for the restoration efforts to show results.

Mangroves are tropical trees and shrubs growing on sheltered coastlines, mudflats and riverbanks. They cover some 14 million hectares worldwide and are concentrated within 25 degrees North and South of the Equator.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, in 2007, about one third of the world’s mangroves were found in Asia (39%) followed by Africa (21%) and North and Central America (15%).

Hardy plant: The mangrove trees can survive harsh conditions.

Mangrove forests in Selangor are found mainly along the coastline of the Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.

Almost 72% of mangrove forest reserves in Selangor are located in the Klang district. They are the Kapar mangrove forest, Klang mangroves, Teluk Gedong and Jugra Blok 1.

In Selangor, mangroves cover 18,088ha with 5,612ha of it in the islands off Klang and 2,365ha in Pulau Ketam.

Both Pulau Tengah and Pulau Che Mat Zin each have about 1,400ha of mangrove forest.

The Klang islands (a group of islands) are mangrove islands in the estuary of the Sg Kelang with mudflats and sandflats. Klang islands are of national importance because these are excellent examples of an estuarine mangrove mudflat system.

The islands are also the most important site for migratory shorebirds and fish-breeding ground which support coastal fishery activities.

Recently, the Selangor government announced that they will no longer be issuing permits for logging on government land, effective from next year.

This also covers logging activities for all inland and the mangrove forests in the state.

“As the most developed and highly populated state, mangroves in Selangor have faced tremendous pressure from land development and pollution.

“It is estimated that from 1980 to 1998, almost 47% of the original mangrove forest reserve in Selangor has been lost to aquaculture, housing and industrial development,” said Faizal.

Despite the salinity and water levels that can change daily, mangroves, adapt well to cope in this environment and thrive.

With roots clustered together to form a natural barrier to break the strong waves from hitting the shore, these mangroves also house various species of marine life, making them a haven for both fishermen and shore birds.

Destroying the mangrove forests will significantly reduce these marine life such as prawns and mud- crabs and would affect the livelihood of mangrove fishermen.

Mangroves have one of the most unique reproductive strategies in the plant world. It disperses its cigar-shaped propagules (seed) via water.

All the sapplings for the replanting programme came from the Forestry Department’s own nursery in Klang.

The department’s deputy director for silviculture and forest protection, Samsu Anuar Nawi, said the mangrove sapplings were kept at the nursery for about four months before being planted.

He said the bakau kurap (Rhizophora mucronata) was chosen for the programme because these have a higher market value and are commonly used for construction and to make charcoal.

The species is used for piling at construction sites.

“We are concentrating on government land due to the damage done from the development surrounding the mangrove areas.

“Previously we carried out several activities in Sabak Bernam and this is the first time we are carrying it out in Pulau Indah,” he said.

The replanting programme is part of efforts to restore the rich bio-diversity of the forests to provide an ecosystem for fish, crabs, birds and other creatures and plants.

Studies have also shown that the mangroves could protect coastal areas from rising tides, storms and natural erosion.

The trees have a high storage capacity for carbon, which helps to regulate the quantity of carbon dioxide in the environment.

They function like carbon factories by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert­ing them into organic material.

The organic materials are then absorbed into trees, mudflats and nearby waterways, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases.

Harvesting mangroves is allowed in the country, with the logging permit issued by the relevant state Forestry Department.

According to the Malaysian Nature Society, only 1.8% of Malaysia’s land is covered in mangroves, with over 50% of these mangroves lost between 1950 and 1985.

Forestry Department statistics show that Peninsular Malaysia had 85,000ha of mangrove swamp forest in 2003, down from 86,497ha in 2002.

The Selangor Forestry Depart­ment statistics show that last year, 18,088ha of the coastal area in the state was covered with mangrove forest.

Under Section 15 of the National Forestry Act, 1984 (Amendment 1993) those who conduct illegal logging can be fined up to a maximum of RM500,000 and mandatory imprisonment of one to 20 years.

Meanwhile, those who are caught having this wood without the documentation can be fined up to RM50,000.