All Climate Events

Thursday, November 5, 2020. 2:30 PM. Webinar: The Potential Role of Ocean Geoengineering in Combating Climate Change. Cymie Payne, Rutgers; Guillermo Ortuño Crespo, Stockholm Resilience Centre/U.N. Decade of Ocean Science. Sponsored by The Monmouth University Institute for Global Understanding (IGU) and Urban Coast Institute (UCI). More information here.

Human exploitation of the open ocean has increased rapidly over the past few decades. International agreements that manage individual commercial sectors have not kept pace with the rate of expansion of maritime industries or the effects of climate change that are already being experienced, resulting in poor management of high seas species and ecosystems. Coastal nations like the U.S., with large exclusive economic zones (EEZs), may be the first to experience the negative impacts of poor management beyond their national jurisdiction: ecological connectivity across maritime boundaries connects hundreds of ocean species to the high seas. Years of negotiation are coming to fruition with a new treaty to manage conservation and sustainable use of life in the connected, dynamic global ocean. The challenge for governments is to prioritize long-term health over short-term sectoral interests with an effective treaty for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). It will be pivotal for ensuring the health and well-being of U.S. ecosystems and coastal communities.