events
Climate-Ocean Change and Food Security @ COP29
On behalf of the UN Foundation, Commonwealth Blue Charter Secretariat and the OA Alliance, please join us for the side event, “Climate-Ocean Change and Food Security,” set to occur on November 15 between 4:30pm-5:30pm at the Commonwealth Pavilion.
Ocean acidification is a direct result of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, which is altering the chemical balance of seawater that marine life (like shellfish, finfish and coral) need to grow, reproduce, and thrive. Combined with other impacts of climate change like ocean warming and reduced oxygen levels, marine species and ecosystems are under increasing stress.
Come learn about the emerging science, policy and financing needed to fully understand and respond to climate-ocean change and ocean acidification’s impact on food security.
Incorporating Ocean Acidification Across Mainstream Climate-Ocean Policy @ COP29
Please join us for the side event, “Incorporating Ocean Acidification Across Mainstream Climate-Ocean Policy,” set to occur on November 13 between 9:00am-10:00am at the Ocean Pavilion. Hosted by the UN Foundation, World Resources Institute, and the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification in collaboration with the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Building on the leadership of the United States’ release of the U.S.National Ocean Acidification Action Plan at COP28, this side event showcases the work of the National OA Action Planning Leadership Circle, launched in April this year.
The event will showcase Leadership Circle government members’ efforts to incorporate ocean acidification science, mitigation and adaptation aspects across mainstream policy documents including:
(1) Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans. (Here)
(2) Sustainable Ocean Plans. (Here)
(3) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (for EU member states). (Here)
The Leadership Circle is supporting invited Ministries, departments and policy officers across 14 countries in the development and implementation of unique commitments to domestic OA activities, leading to increased national implementation of UN SDG 14.3 “to minimize and address OA” by the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in 2025.
Join Us at the Immersed in Change Conference!
The world is waking up to the threat that ocean acidification (OA) poses to marine ecosystems and to the coastal economies that depend on them. OA is a rise in the acidity of seawater caused by an excess of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) being absorbed by the ocean.
To implement SDG 14.3 “to minimize and address ocean acidification”, OA must become a cross cutting issue embedded across climate, ocean, and marine policies.
Advancing national OA actions will inform better decision making for achieving domestic mitigation, adaptation, and resilience goals.
Come learn about the National OA Action Planning Leadership Circle, where invited governments are finding their unique approach to OA Actions across 2024-2025, leading to national implementation of UN SDG 14.3 “to minimize and address OA” by the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in 2025.
Stay for OA Poetry to celebrate World Ocean Day!
Confirm your participation to Jcorrales@unfoundation.org
Co-Hosts:
#OAHaiku Poetry Campaign for UN World Oceans Day 2024
Following the UN World Oceans Day 2024 theme Awaken New Depths, the OA Alliance is releasing the first ocean acidification (OA) #OAHaiku social media campaign!
We tapped into the creative minds of our network to increase visibility of OA, climate-ocean impacts and responses. The #OAHaiku poetry campaign provides an opportunity to access the wisdom, expertise and life experiences that have shaped individual contributions to climate-ocean action.
During the month of June, we are encouraging everyone to get involved in the #OAHaiku poetry campaign on Twitter/X @OA_Alliance!
Guidelines for the campaign are available below, for your ongoing participation and amplification throughout the month. It includes a link to access several image templates for you to utilize when advertising the campaign through your channels, retweeting or posting your own #OAHaiku poem.
Help us awaken new depths of communication and connection by joining the #OAHaiku poetry campaign and celebrate the people working to protect our ocean from the ongoing threats of climate change!
Follow the campaign on the OA Alliance’s x account
Our Ocean Conference: Achieving Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Context of Climate Change
The OA Alliance was launched in 2016 at the 2nd Our Ocean Conference held in Washington D.C. under the leadership of then U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. We are proud to continue engagement at the 9th Our Ocean Conference, join us!
Our Ocean Conference: Ministerial Meeting National OA Action Planning Leadership Circle
The OA Alliance was launched in 2016 at the 2nd Our Ocean Conference held in Washington D.C. under the leadership of then U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. We are proud to continue engagement at the 9th Our Ocean Conference, join us!
UN Decade of Ocean Science Conference
You are invited to join us for an ocean acidification event at the UN Decade of Ocean Science Conference taking place in Barcelona April 10-12, 2024.
“Moving from Science to Action on Ocean Acidification: Why Does It Matter? How Is It Being Achieved?” will occur on April 11 between 8:30am-9:45am (with 7:30am coffee) at the Barcelona International Convention Center, Meeting Room 133-134 Southern Ocean, Floor P-1.
The event is co-hosted by the IAEA, OA Alliance, and NOAA in partnership with GOA-ON and OARS.
Please use this registration link to express your interest in attending.
National governments commitment to policy & investments to implement SDG 14.3
OA Action Plans call forth renewed ambition to realize mitigation and adaptation targets already in place across UNFCCC and deliver on Sustainable Development Goal 14.3, “to minimize and address ocean acidification.” Additionally, OA Action Plans help prioritize science, policy, and funding needs across the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainability.
On 10 December, the United States announced the release of the U.S. Ocean Acidification (OA) Action Plan during a COP28 side event at Ocean Pavilion co-hosted by NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, U.S. Department of State, and OA Alliance.
The U.S. is calling on more national governments to create OA Action Plans by the UN Ocean Conference 2025 and support implementation of SDG 14.3, "to minimize and address OA."
WATCH THE FULL SIDE EVENT HERE
Speakers included:
Dr. Mahlet Mesfin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. State Department
Dr. Richard Spinrad, Administrator of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Ambassador Anna Lindstedt, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden
Ms. Emilie Rojas Margolliet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chile
Ms. Gabrielle Larricq, Directorate of European and International Affairs France
Dr. Armando Francisco Arias-Isaza, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research, Colombia
Congressman Eduardo Murat Hinojosa, Mexican Chamber of Deputies
Leveraging UN Mechanisms for Local OA Adaptation and Resilience
Date: 6 December
Time: 4.15pm -5.45pm
Location: Commonwealth Pavilion
Co-hosted with: UN Foundation; IOC-UNESCO; Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Ocean Decade Programme ‘Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability; Commonwealth Secretariat; Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network and University of Washington
Overview: Despite dire warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the impacts of ongoing ocean warming, acidification, and deoxygenation caused by increased GHG and carbon dioxide emissions are often misunderstood or not reflected across mainstream climate mitigation or adaptation priorities across the UNFCCC or domestically.
Panelists discussed food security, adaptation and financing concerns associated with OA and highlighted the science, policy, and further investments needed to respond. The event launched the OA Research for Sustainability UN Decade Programme Commitments Page.
WATCH THE EVENT HERE.
Speakers:
Cristina Rumbaitis de Rio, Director of Adaptation, UN Foundation
Dr. Tarub Bahri, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Mr. Euan Low, our Climate Impact Area Lead, Green Climate Fund
Tiago Pitta e Cunha has been Chief Executive Officer of Oceano Azul Foundation, Oceano Azul Foundation
Nicholas Hardman- Mountford, Head of Ocean Governance and Natural Resource Management Commonwealth Blue Charter
Professor Steve Widdicombe, OARS Secretariat. UN Decade of Ocean Science, Ocean Acidification Research Programme
Ms. Paula Faiva, Director of Ministry of Climate, Oceans & Resilience, Government of Tokelau
Dr. Kalina Grabb, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA
Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy to the Ocean
Leading on OA Monitoring, Policy Mainstreaming and Finance in the Pacific
Date: 4 December
Time: 3.00-3.50pm
Location: Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion
Co-hosted with: U.S. NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, U.S. State Department, The Ocean Foundation
Overview: The Pacific Islands region is leading on ocean acidification (OA) knowledge generation by developing regional monitoring and research programs that can be leveraged in the future to inform climate-ocean mitigation, adaptation, and resilience priorities.
On 4 December, the OA Alliance co-hosted a discussion at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, "Leading on OA Monitoring, Policy Mainstreaming and Finance in the Pacific." The event was co-hosted with U.S. NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, U.S. State Department, and The Ocean Foundation.
The event was an opportunity to share out goals, partnerships, and successes of the Pacific Islands Ocean Acidification Centre (PIOAC), alongside needs for increased science, policy mainstreaming and financing.
WATCH THE EVENT HERE.
Speakers:
Office of the Prime Minister, Climate Finance Specialist, Mr. Ravneeth Dewan, Fiji
Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy to the Ocean
Mr. Exsley Taloiburi, GEM Division Deputy Director of Pacific Community
Dr. Kalina Grabb, U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
Ms. Alejandra Navarrete, Government and Multilateral Officer, The Ocean Foundation
COP28
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) will meet 30 November - 12 December as part of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
COP28 presents a critical opportunity to reflect on where we are in meeting goals and targets of the Paris Agreement and to chart an ambition path forward for climate-ocean action.
Importantly, COP28 marks the first ever Global Stocktake, a process by which country signatories to the Paris Climate Agreement take inventory of activities that have occurred to reduce climate change causes and impacts, identify gaps, and accelerate actions to meet our greenhouse gas and carbon reduction goals.
It is critical that ocean information be clearly articulated in this year’s Global Stocktake. That's why we teamed up with the Ocean Climate Platform, the Ocean Conservancy and multiple partners to release recommendations for “Integrating the Ocean: Options for the CMA 5 Decision on the Global Stocktake."
COP28 President, the United Arab Emirates, is driving global attention on adaptation needs to transform and protect food systems in response to climate change.
Climate-ocean change threatens food security. This matters to all of us, but especially communities that depend on marine species for food, economies, and cultural practices or traditions.
Luckily, the UNFCCC has created an Ocean and Climate Dialogue to discuss options for strengthening ocean mitigation and adaptation measures in response to the mounting impacts of greenhouse gases on our marine resources and environments.
The OA Alliance has specific recommendations to protect seafood security and sovereignty through UNFCCC, which you can read more about here.
Members and partners of the OA Alliance will be convening a number of side events at COP28 focusing on increasing ambition for climate action to protect marine and aquatic seafood in addition to the financing needed to support countries in better information that support unique adaptation measures along their coastlines.
Ocean acidification: a threat to marine ecosystems and economies in the Commonwealth and beyond
The ocean absorbs up to 30% of annual carbon emissions, resulting in a fall in the pH value of its seawaters, thus signifying a rise in their acidity. The past 20–30 years have seen a rapid increase in ocean acidification and, unless decisive actions are taken to mitigate this, it will continue to rise. This event will bring together policymakers, scientists and other ocean experts from within and outside of the Commonwealth to discuss this growing crisis. It will explore the threat ocean acidification poses to marine ecosystems; identify what’s at stake for economies, communities and individuals; and highlight best practices that can help stem its tide.
OA Week 2023: Updates on Law and Policy Related to Ocean Acidification
Join us in our session at the Ocean Acidification week 2023!
The Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) will be hosting OA week between 30 October- 3 November, 2023. This virtual symposium will bring together researchers across the world with sessions, plenary speakers, and engaging talks about ocean acidification research to support OA mitigation, adaptation and improved management of ocean and marine resources.
The OA Alliance will be hosting a session aiming to discuss: Updates on Law and Policy Related to Ocean Acidification. The session will include:
National OA Action Plans to support domestic climate, ocean, and marine management goals.
Projects designed to integrate OA information across mainstream policies in Europe and the Western Indian Ocean.
Update on OA aspects across UNFCCC, UN SDG 14 and Convention on Biological Diversity.
Date: Tuesday, 31 October, 2023
Time: 6am PST; 9am EST; 2pm BST; 3pm CET; and 11pm in Tasmania
Duration: 90 minutes
We will have speakers from NOAA’s OA Program alongside law and policy practitioners advancing OA projects in Europe and Africa. Learn more about OA Alliance projects: Exploring Marine Management And Policy Response To Ocean Acidification in the EU and Mapping OA Monitoring And Research Recommendations To Policy In Africa, respectively.
Save the date and register by following this link:
Climate Week: Accelerating Implementation of U.S. Climate-Ocean Policy
Join us at Climate Week 2023!
This 90-minute meeting will bring together coastal U.S. states on the front lines of climate-ocean change to discuss turning policy priorities into aligned actions and shared investments.
Event Overview
Federally, the U.S. has led domestic and international leadership on climate-ocean change knowledge and response. On March 21, 2023 the U.S. government released President Biden’s Ocean Climate Action Plan.
U.S. states have been transforming climate-ocean policy by assessing regional risks, prioritizing information needs, incorporating coastal habitats into climate mitigation planning, and formulating local actions to support coastal and community resilience.
This working meeting will bring together U.S. states and federal practitioners around the themes of blue carbon ecosystems; and climate resilient marine resources and coastal communities.
Outcomes include: (1) identification of shared priorities or state/regional needs; (2) recommendations to the federal government in implementing related activities of the Ocean Climate Action Plan; (3) funding to support regional or state programs/ projects.
UNFCCC Ocean and Climate Dialogue
Building upon previous editions, this year’s Ocean and Climate Dialogue 2023 is being held June 13-14 in Bonn, Germany as part of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice.
The Dialogue will be co-facilitated by Chile and Canada and focus on: (1) the role of coastal ecosystem restoration, including blue carbon ecosystems; and (2) fisheries and food security in the context of climate change.
We know that UNFCCC bodies and mechanisms can be leveraged to ensure adequate and equitable investments in climate-ocean change information, gaps analysis, and capacity or technology transfer that result in better preparedness, mitigation, and adaptation choices for all Parties—particularly as relates to food security and sovereignty.
The OA Alliance will be engaging in the upcoming Ocean and Climate Dialogue, sharing our recommendations to strengthen UNFCCC response to ocean warming, acidification, and deoxygenation.
Exploring Marine Management And Policy Response To Ocean Acidification
Join Us For
A side meeting on the margins of European Maritime Day 2023
Exploring Marine Management and Policy Response to Ocean Acidification
24 May 2023
7:30am-9:30am
Club House room at Marina du Chateau (Quai Eric Tabarly, 29200 Brest, France)
Overview
European Maritime Day 2023 (EMD) is taking place in Brest, France between 24-25 May. The EMD is being organised by the European Commission, the City of Brest, the Region of Brittany, the department of Finistère and the General Secretariat for the Sea. It will explore the current state of play on a broad range of issues concerning the blue economy and the marine environment and discuss ways of moving forward. Specific themes include:
Aquaculture and fisheries
Responsible food systems and biodiversity
Marine research, innovation, technology and observation
Maritime Spatial Planning
Civil Society and stakeholder relations
To support these themes and advance the integration of climate change information across key European marine management frameworks, the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance), OSPAR Convention Intersessional Correspondence Group on OA (ICG-OA), and NE Atlantic Hub of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) will convene a 2-hour meeting, “Exploring Marine Management and Policy Response to Ocean Acidification.”
Meeting Focus
Themes of the workshop focus on maritime policies including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Water Framework Directive or national equivalents in non-EU member states; marine spatial planning; applying cumulative impact assessments to ecosystems-based management; safeguarding European marine economies in the context of climate change.
The meeting will bring together policy and decision-makers across Europe for brief presentations and breakout discussions of:
OA trends, biological impacts and threats to keystone fisheries and aquaculture within the Arctic, North Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Reporting and OA recommendations by OSPAR's Intersessional Correspondence Group on OA (ICG-OA) in OSPAR’s Quality Status Report 2023 as well as national response strategies.
EU and national ocean and marine policy frameworks (including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Water Framework Directive and Marine Spatial Planning efforts) that can be leveraged to characterize, address, and minimize ocean and coastal acidification.
Who Should Attend: invitees include climate and environment policy leads, water quality and monitoring programs and marine managers representing delegations from European nations bordering a sea or ocean.
Why Attend: communities across the NE Atlantic, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea are already experiencing negative impacts of climate change on habitat and biodiversity, fisheries and aquaculture, economies, cultural practices, and livelihoods. These impacts will worsen in the future without interventions from managers and decision makers across marine, coastal and climate policy themes.
Ocean warming, acidification and deoxygenation have gained increasing recognition across international policy platforms including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Sustainable Development Goal Agenda, Convention on Biological Diversity and High Seas Treaty.
To date, international science coordination has emphasized enhancing coastal observations, establishing regional baselines, contributing to global indicators, and broadly developing research around keystone species.
While this work must continue across different scales, national governments and end-users can leverage and apply targeted information to support discrete choices about localized mitigation, adaptation, and preparedness strategies in the face of ongoing climate change.
Specifically, OA information can be used to support or evaluate marine management targets, evaluate ecosystem-based approaches, assess cumulative impacts to EEZs and coastal zones, and tailor mitigation or adaptation responses to potential interference of ecosystem services caused by climate change.
Outcomes of Workshop: As the science, research and observed impacts of climate-ocean continue to grow, there is a need for increased knowledge exchange and expertise on the substance and process for developing local, regional, and national marine management and policy responses in the face of cumulative change.
Specific outcomes of this workshop include:
Exploring what role OA information should play in the updated Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Improving understanding of ecosystem-based management and Good Environmental Status in the context of climate-ocean change.
Leveraging European (national or EU) management and policy frameworks to take-up regional seas conventions recommendations, such as those by OSPAR’s ICG-OA, and further prioritize ongoing Convention mandates or reporting on OA.
White paper recommendations/ suggested European marine management and policy mapping to support national governments and the European Commission in further integrating climate-ocean change information across myriad blue economy targets, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture goals, nature-based solutions, and coastal management decision frameworks.
Mapping OA Monitoring and Research Recommendations to Policy in Africa
Join us for Mapping OA Monitoring and Research Recommendations to Policy in Africa
May 19 between 11:00am-1:00pm East Africa Time in Tanzania
The OA Alliance is partnering with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) on a project that will contribute towards enhancing OA monitoring, research, and vulnerability assessments in the WIO region, by illuminating their relationship to consequential policy goals.
The discussion flows from a Western Indian Ocean Acidification OA monitoring project established by WIOMSA with regional institutions and experts. The project resulted in the WIO OA report in 2022. Next steps including expanding the monitoring programme and ensuring that these efforts will inform ocean policy, management and adaptation in the future.
We would love to have you join us and learn more about this effort and implications for regional policy, management and funding.
Please register via this google survey link so that we can send you the zoom link + agenda.
Our Ocean Conference: Meeting of Members and Partners
On March 3, the OA Alliance hosted a meeting of members and partners to discuss needs and opportunities for advancing OA actions across international and domestic agendas.
Attendees heard opening remarks from United States, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, Professor Maxine Burkett who spoke about the need for ongoing climate ambition and integration of climate-ocean policies across mitigation and adaptation themes. Professor Burkett spoke about the recently released U.S. Ocean Climate Action Plan which aims to: (1) create a carbon-neutral future; (2) accelerate solutions that tap the power of natural coastal and ocean systems to absorb and store greenhouse gases, reduce the climate threat, and protect communities and ecosystems against unavoidable change; and (3) enhance community resilience.
The U.S. government’s commitment to developing an OA Action Plan is well defined on page 24 and page 44 of the new report.
OA Alliance Director, Ms. Jessie Turner, gave an overview of activities, products and programmatic focus areas which support answering the following questions.
What’s needed to advance ocean acidification leadership internationally?
· UNFCCC Ocean and Climate Dialogue/ Adaptation and Financing Schemes
o (Leveraging NDCs and NAPs)
· Example solutions/ projects to address mitigation and adaptation needs
o (SDG 14)
· Increased financing at regional scales
o (GEF/ GCF/ UNEP/Development Banks/ Private)
What’s needed to support OA Action Planning and preparedness domestically?
· Regional monitoring and coastal information
· Inventory of relevant policies and management mechanisms
· Prioritization of highly vulnerable sectors and resources
· Finance plan for implementation
Finally, the group engaged in a discussion lead by Dr. Richard Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, United States NOAA and governmental colleagues in Norway, Germany, United Kingdom, Portugal, and Mexico alongside non-government partners like PEW Charitable Trust, The Ocean Foundation, World Resources Institute, Peace Boat and the Seattle Aquarium.
Topics of discussion included the need for increased examples of OA adaptation and resilience; better storytelling about the impacts and solutions to climate-ocean change; and identifying areas where OA information can guide management and policy including:
Nationwide or regional vulnerability assessments.
Strengthening early warning systems and climate preparedness strategies.
Guiding climate-response fisheries management plans.
Targeting areas for marine and coastal habitat restoration or conservation.
Enhancing coral reef health.
Determining effective aquaculture adaptation strategies.
Developing, testing, and deploying nature-based solutions.
Reducing nutrient run-off from specific sources.
Strengthening water quality regulations.
Aggressively and urgently reducing CO2 emissions.
Thank you to all our members and partners who are leading discussions around OA action taking!
Links to additional products and programmes referenced during the meeting:
OA Alliance Submission to the UNFCCC Ocean and Climate Dialogue in 2022 + specific adaptation/ finance recommendations for same.
Climate Financing for Ocean Adaptation breakfast meeting summary, hosted during UNOC 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal
OA Research for Sustainability UN Decade program
OA Action Plan Toolkit
Communications products/ posters
Communicating OA And Climate-Ocean Change: Panel Discussion With Practitioner
As interest in ocean acidification (OA) grows, we must be thinking about communicating OA for different audiences and outcomes, moving from describing “what is OA” and “why does OA matter” to “what can different actors do to address OA?”
On February 22, 2023 the OA Alliance hosted a webinar, ‘Communicating OA and Climate-Ocean Change’ in order to support our members and partners in developing calls to climate-ocean action.
It’s important that members of the OA Alliance have a strong narrative and understand the discrete outcomes they want to achieve through OA communication efforts.
The webinar provided an overview from the OA Alliance in developing calls to action. We shared learnings from participating in the 5th International Marine Science Communication Conference (CommOCEAN 2022). And finally, we heard from practitioners who are working on OA communications projects at local, regional, and international scales.
Our guests:
Mr. Salesa Nihmei, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Meteorology and Climate Officer, NZ Pacific Partnership on OA.
Nancy Hotchkiss, Pathways Collaborative, Oregon OAH Council Communications Project.
Austin Pugh, Canadian Community of Practice on OA, DFO/ NOAA bi-lateral comms collaboration.
Dr. Martha Sutula, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project.
Key takeaways:
We must move from describing ‘what is OA’ and ‘why does it matter’, to ‘what can different actors do to address OA’–whether through climate mitigation and adaptation targets, policy integration, management decisions and regulations, or targeted monitoring and research.
Audience, audience, audience. The most effective communications are demand driven, get to know your audience and understand their needs. What channels do they use to receive information? In what formats?
OA information and ‘calls to action’ are going to be discrete for different purposes, different actors and applicable at different scales.
The importance of cross-sectoral relationships, collaboration is key; scientists need support designing and achieving communications aspects of their projects.
The importance of Iteration, and consistency in our messages, climate-ocean narratives should be reinforced across the OA community of practitioners. We can make use of the communications tools already available to simplify our work.
Scicomms shouldn’t feel like an add-on or after thought to science, there should be more of an institutional culture to co-design comms with end users, promote and fund communications capacity.
Partners at SPREP in Samoa highlighted how communications are experienced in different ways depending on your context. In the Pacific region alone, there are about 2,000 distinct languages. It’s important to understand appropriate words to describe OA or other climate-ocean impacts and solutions.
RESOURCES REFERENCED:
OA Alliance posters and infographics including:
How Does OA Impact Services that Humans Depend On?
How Do You Measure Ocean Acidification?
What Do Policy Makers Need to Know?
What Can Local Governments Do?
What Can You Do to Address Climate-Ocean Change?
New Zealand Pacific Partnership on Ocean Acidification; and outreach materials including OA posters several translations for Vanuatu, Kiribati, Fiji, Niue, Tonga, Tokelau and Samoa.
The Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH Council) released its 2022 Biennial Legislative Report which includes actions taken by the Council as outlined in the State’s OAH Action Plan. In 2023, the OAH Council is taking on a larger communications project to identify audiences and calls to action associated with implementing and supporting the OAH Action Plan.
The Canadian Community of Practice on Ocean Acidification was initiated in 2018 and is sponsored by the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response (MEOPAR) Network. MEOPAR Communities of Practice bring together researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, and community members to share expertise, to learn, and to provide a space for discussion and co-production of knowledge. New resources are being released on specific projects that assess social and economic vulnerability of key species in Canada, including Atlantic Sea Scallops. Learn more and check out projects here.
Frameworks Publications and Guidelines: How to Talk about Climate Change and the Ocean
OA Action Plans: Increasing ambition for climate action & transforming response to climate-ocean change
Ocean Pavilion at COP27
14 November
3:00pm-4:30pm Egypt Time
OA Action Plans: Increasing ambition for climate action and transforming planning and response to climate-ocean change
Hosted by OA Alliance
Hear from National and subnational government leaders who are committed to creating “OA Action Plans” that integrate ocean relevant science, mitigation and adaptation efforts across mainstream climate policies and investments.
AGENDA
Welcome by Jessie Turner, Director of the OA Alliance
Opening Remarks
Dr. Ko Barrett, Senior Advisor for Climate at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Vice-Chair at Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
U.S. State of Washington, Governor Jay Inslee
Integrated Approaches to Climate-Ocean Action
Governments committed to OA Action Planning, describe various priorities, processes, policy relevance.
Government of Chile- co-founder of the OA Alliance (invited)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Commitments to support OA monitoring expansion and policy integration across relevant ministries, departments and programs; engagement with Latin American OA Network as part of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network and UN Decade OA programme.
Government of British Columbia, Canada- co-founder of the OA Alliance
Minister of Environment and Climate Change, The Honourable George Heyman MLA
Importance of provincial climate risk and vulnerability assessments to inform relevant strategies, climate and environmental stewardship objectives and socio-cultural relevance. Integration of OAH Action Plan across climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience frameworks.
Government of Mozambique (invited)
Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries
In partnership with WIOMSA, Mozambique is part of ongoing monitoring pilot sites occurring in Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, Seychelles and South Africa. Aims include the development of a network to: (1) establish a regional baseline for climate and ocean change information, and (2) contribute for socially relevant information for marine resource management.
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt
Dr. Nayrah Shaltout, Associate Professor of Marine Chemistry Marine Environmental Division and co-chair of OA Africa
Domestic and regional work on OA and significance to climate resilience and sustainable fisheries.
Government of the United Kingdom
Stephanie Ockenden, Head of Ocean and Climate Change Policy & International Evidence, Marine and Fisheries, Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
Emphasis on seafood industry and coastal economies; commitment to OA Action Planning by exploring regional vulnerability assessments and priorities; emphasis on integrating OA across mainstream climate and marine management policies; international leadership through GOA-ON, Blue Planet Fund and Commonwealth Blue Charter.
Subnational Leadership on Climate-Ocean Action: Assessing Risk and Deploying Local Response
America Is All In Pavilion at COP27
Live Stream Event Here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdoQGLvqcm5bo5tPVKlmhkvoBITWjwCLA
12 November
11:30am-12:30pm Egypt Time
Subnational Leadership on Climate-Ocean Action: Assessing Risk and Deploying Local Response
Co-hosted by OA Alliance & Pew Charitable Trusts
Hear from subnational leaders on the front lines of addressing climate-ocean change, who are using a variety of strategies to assess climate risk and information needs, leverage investments and formulate solutions that apply targeted science to management at local and regional scales.
AGENDA
Welcome and Introductions
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Congress, State of Oregon District 1
Policy: Assessing Climate-Ocean Risk
Province of British Columbia, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, The Honourable George Heyman
State of California Insurance Commissioner, Office of Commissioner Ricardo Lara
Policy: Exploring Local Response Strategies
Administrator Michael Regan, U.S. EPA (invited)
Senator John Laird (California Senate District 17)
Queen Quet, Gullah/ Geechee Nation
Jennifer Browning, Director, Conserving Marine Life in the US, Pew Charitable Trusts
Brad Ack, Executive Director, Ocean Visions
Power of subnational collaborations
The Ocean Conservancy, Director of Climate Policy, Anna-Marie Laura
OA Alliance, Director, Jessie Turner
Gaps and needs for ocean-based climate action towards SDG14.3
Pacific Pavilion at COP27
9 November
4:00pm-5:00pm Egypt Time
International finance opportunities: Gaps and needs for ocean-based climate action towards implementing SDG14.3
Co-hosted by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Commonwealth Blue Charter, IOC-UNESCO, and OA Alliance
There is increasing urgency that nations reduce GHG and carbon emissions and support ongoing efforts to implement SDG 14.3, “to minimize and address impacts of ocean acidification.” This event will highlight the science, policy, vulnerability assessment tools and funding mechanisms that are needed to achieve this step change.
AGENDA
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO
Moving from IPCC Assessment Reports to Regional Action on OA
Professor Stephen Widdicombe, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Science at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Co-chair of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) Executive Council and Co-lead on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development endorsed programme Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS)
Pacific Regional Priorities and Local Information for OA Response
Anne-Claire Goarant, Climate Change and Environmental sustainability
The Pacific Community, New Caledonia
Utilizing Climate Vulnerability and Rapid Assessment Tools to Inform Priorities
Commonwealth Blue Charter Secretariat, Dr Nick Hardman-Mountford,
Head of Oceans & Natural Resources
Leveraging Climate Financing for Ocean Adaptation and Resilience
Ms. Jessie Turner, Director, International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification
Commitments to OA Policy and Financing from Governments !
Harnessing finance for addressing climate-ocean change
Virtual Ocean Pavilion (LIVE)
REGISTER HERE:
https://cop27oceanpavilion.vfairs.com
9 November
2:00-3:00pm Egypt Time
Harnessing Finance for Addressing Climate-Ocean Change
Co-hosted by OA Alliance and Global Fund for Coral Reefs
Hear from national governments, Global Fund for Coral Reef and OA practitioners on the innovative interdisciplinary projects that will help us leverage climate finance for more holistic climate-ocean adaptation.
AGENDA
Welcome and Overview of Agenda
Ms. Jessie Turner, Director, OA Alliance
Assessing Climate-Ocean Change, Vulnerability and Location Adaptation Needs
Dr. Sarah Cooley, Director of Climate Science, Ocean Conservancy; Coordinating Lead Author on Working Group II of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report
Example of Ocean Adaptation Priorities and Needs in the Pacific Region
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) on monitoring activities and information needs related to coral reef resilience strategies
Director General Nawadra, SPREP
Perspectives from Financing Entities, Private Finance Sector, and Innovative Demonstration Projects
Global Environment Facility–overview of coastal adaptation and resilience investments and priorities at GEF including the Least Development Countries Fund, wetlands restoration, shoreline protection and aquaculture projects.
Fareeha Iqbal, Senior Climate Change Specialist at Global Environment Facility
Global Fund for Coral Reefs
Leticia Carvalho, Head of the Marine and Freshwater Branch, UN Environment Programme
Dr. Fahd Al-Guthmy, Programme Director (Conservation Finance)
Private Finance Sector: Demonstration models for driving resilience-focused finance
Michel Zumstein, Executive Vice President, Lombard Odier
Closing Remarks: What’s Needed For Accelerating Bended Finance for Ocean Adaptation/ Resilience
Sylvie Goyet, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
OA Alliance at COP 27
Join the OA Alliance at COP27 for the “implementation COP” taking place under the Egyptian Presidency in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt between 6 – 18 November 2022.
Our government and affiliate members will be engaging across events & negotiations to:
Accelerate GHG reduction commitments by 2030.
Emphasize ocean adaptation and resilience needs.
Increase finance and technical capacity for ocean & coastal efforts.
Showcase implementation of OA Action Plans, including practices to climate-ocean policy integration and regional collaboration.
Pacific Pavilion
9 November
4:00pm-5:00pm Egypt Time
International finance opportunities: Gaps and needs for ocean-based climate action towards implementing SDG14.3
Co-hosted by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Commonwealth Blue Charter, IOC-UNESCO and OA Alliance
There is increasing urgency that nations reduce GHG and carbon emissions and support ongoing efforts to implement SDG 14.3, “to minimize and address impacts of ocean acidification.” This event will highlight the science, policy, vulnerability assessment tools and funding mechanisms that are needed to achieve this step change.
America Is All In Pavilion
12 November
11:30am-12:30pm Egypt Time
Subnational Leadership on Climate-Ocean Action: Assessing Risk and Deploying Local Response
Co-hosted by OA Alliance & Pew Charitable Trusts
Hear from subnational leaders on the front lines of addressing climate-ocean change, who are using a variety of strategies to assess climate risk and information needs, leverage investments and formulate solutions that apply targeted science to management at local and regional scales.
Ocean Pavilion
14 November
3:00pm-4:30pm Egypt Time
OA Action Plans: Increasing ambition for climate action and transforming planning and response to climate-ocean change
Hosted by OA Alliance
Hear from National and subnational government leaders who are committed to creating “OA Action Plans” that integrate ocean relevant science, mitigation and adaptation efforts across mainstream climate policies and investments.
Virtual Ocean Pavilion (LIVE)
9 November
2:00-3:00pm Egypt Time
Harnessing Finance for Addressing Climate-Ocean Change
Co-hosted by OA Alliance and Global Fund for Coral Reefs
Hear from national governments, Global Fund for Coral Reef and OA practitioners on the innovative interdisciplinary projects that will help us leverage climate finance for more holistic climate-ocean adaptation.
From Knowledge to Action: Communicating OA Science for Policy Makers.
Side event of the 5th International Symposium on the Ocean in a High - CO2 World occurring September 12-16 in Lima Peru.
The Symposium follows the symposia in Paris in 2004, Monaco in 2008, Monterey in 2012, and Hobart in 2016, which were all key events for the international community of researchers studying ocean acidification and related stressors. Dedicated sessions will emphasize processes and impacts as well as consequences for humans and their potential responses through policy and management.
Our special side event is confirmed for Friday, September 16 between 1730-1900 (530-700pm) at the Postgraduate School, Universidad Cientifica Del Sur/(Universidad Científica del Sur – Posgrado) C. Cantuarias 398, Miraflores 15074, Peru.
This interactive event will provide a fun and engaging way to close out a busy week and focus on three major themes:
1. What is OA Action?
2. How Might Government Led Policy or Priority Setting Help Accomplish This?
3. Leveraging Collaborations and Commitments
Please register at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-knowledge-to-action-communicating-oa-science-for-policy-makers-tickets-398978825407
Co-hosted by:
Taking Action to Address OA & Implement SDG 14.3
Join us at the UN Ocean Conference 2022
Taking Action to Address Ocean Acidification & Implement SDG 14.3
June 29, 2022
14:30-15:45pm
Committee Room
Blue Zone, Altice Arena
Co-Hosted By:
International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Commonwealth Blue Charter, IOC- UNESCO; IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Center, the Global Ocean Acidification- Observing Network and the University of Washington.
Overview:
This event will highlight Voluntary Commitments made by governments and civil society for advancing OA policy, financing, literacy, science and innovation for management.
Invited speakers:
Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister for Pacific and the Environment at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom (invited)
Dr. Richard Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States (invited)
Dr. Mark Gold, Director of California Ocean Protection Council, State of California
Carleen Thomas, Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN)
Prof. Richard Bellerby, Chief Scientist Climate and Oceans, Norwegian Institute for Water Research; OARS co-champion
Dra. Carla F. Berghoff, Programa “Dinámica del Plancton Marino y Cambio Climático, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero, Argentina
Dr. Jan Newton, co-chair of the University of Washington Ocean Acidification Center and co-chair of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network.
Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC-UNESCO Executive Secretary
Representative from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Representative from Canada Department of Ocean and Fisheries
There are multiple impacts of climate change to our ocean including ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation, sea-level rise, more frequent and intense storms, marine heat waves, loss of marine life and habitat, climate variability, and changing circulation. Together, these impacts are causing harm by displacing people, damaging coastal ecosystems, communities and property, decreasing food security and sovereignty, impacting jobs and livelihoods and threating cultural practices and traditions.
Ocean acidification (OA) is a direct result of human-caused carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and is altering the chemical balance of seawater that marine life depends upon for proper functioning and survival.
While we must drastically reduce CO2 emissions, there are actions that governments and civil society can and should be taking now that will allow for increased adaptation and resilience of vulnerable ecosystems and species, further bolstering the ability of human communities to cope with future change.
Enhancing local and regional knowledge of ocean and coastal risks and impacts— alongside understanding and engaging with coastal community priorities—will help inform the most meaningful management and response strategies. Global efforts are moving forward to provide society with the evidence needed to sustainably identify, monitor, mitigate and adapt to ocean acidification at relevant scales.
International Climate Financing for Ocean Adaptation
Taking Place During UN Ocean Conference to Implement SDG 14
Working Breakfast Meeting
International Climate Financing for Ocean Adaptation and Resilience
Co-organized by: International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, Commonwealth Blue Charter the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network.
In partnership with: UN Foundation, Prince Albert ll of Monaco Foundation and The Ocean Foundation.
Meeting Objective and Outcomes:
This working breakfast will bring together international and regional OA science and policy coordinating bodies, national government representatives, and major international climate finance regimes with charges to support countries in developing and implementing climate adaptation and resilience strategies that advance goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda.
Outcomes include further understanding of eligibility requirements for climate finance mechanisms for ocean acidification adaptation and community resiliency strategies.
To Express Interest, Please Email Jessie@OAalliance.org
So, What is Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal Anyway?
So, What is Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal Anyway? How Does It Relate to OA?
While reducing anthropogenic carbon emissions is the #1 action needed to combat OA, additional strategies may be needed to assist carbon sequestration and advance resilience building actions.
A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine outlines six Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) approaches that are in need of further research and development.
Join us for a 75-minute panel discussion with OA scientists, public and private sector about the research and investment needed to explore the utility of Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal strategies and how they relate to OA.
Co-hosted by the OA Alliance and The Ocean Foundation.
Register Here.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtd-mgrDIjGtz98S3Ul6HUm-ppn8kvXGAN
Featured Panelists:
Matthew Eisaman, Co-Founder and CTO, Ebb Carbon and Associate Professor, Stony Brook University
Dr. Jess Cross, Oceanographer, NOAA/PMEL, Artic Ocean Carbon
Romany Webb, Associate Research Scholar, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School; Committee on a Research Strategy for Ocean CDR and Sequestration, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
Brad Ack, Executive Director, Ocean Visions
Mark J. Spalding, President, The Ocean Foundation
Dr. Sarah Cooley, Director of Climate Science, Ocean Conservancy
Policy & Management for Addressing Climate-Ocean Change
The OA Alliance is part of two UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainability endorsed programs: “Understanding and Addressing Ocean Acidification and Changing Ocean Conditions Through the Development of OA Action Plans,” project ID 8 and “Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS),” project ID 219.
Partners across the OARS UN Decade Program aim to expand OA monitoring and research that help decision-makers better understand climate impacts to marine resources and explore local actions that increase resilience.
Join the OA Alliance and The Ocean Foundation for an overview of our unique obligations within the OARS program: (1) identifying evidence and information needs for OA mitigation and adaptation; and (2) strengthening feedback loops that promote application of OA knowledge by policy makers and end-users.
March 10 at 7am PST/ 10am EST/ 4pm CET
Register in advance for this Satellite Event:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Psh67goKTmS-7URsCi4A6A
Integrated Policies for ocean climate action: Building coastal resiliency in the u.S.
U.S. State actors participated in a COP26 sid event, “Integrated Policies for Ocean Climate Action: Building Coastal Resiliency in the U.S.” hosted by the OA Alliance, PEW Charitable Trusts and Ocean Conservancy on November 8 at the U.S. Climate Action Center.
As drivers of local and regional strategies, U.S. states are on the forefront of increasing ambition for climate action, integrating ocean and climate policies and increasing effective management across our estuaries and shorelines in the context of climate change.
Featured Speakers:
Governor Jay Inslee, State of Washington
Governor Kate Brown, State of Oregon
NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Director, Dr. Libby Jewett
Secretary of Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, State of California
Secretary of Environment, Ben Grumbles, State of Maryland
Chair of Department of Land and Natural Resources, Suzanne Case, State of Hawai’i
Senator Chris Lee, Hawai’i State Legislature
From left: Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Suzanne Case, State of Hawai’i; Senator Chris Lee, Hawai’i State Legislature; Governor Kate Brown, State of Oregon; Governor Jay Inslee, State of Washington; Director of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, Dr. Libby Jewett; Secretary of Environment, Ben Grumbles, State of Maryland; Mr. Simon Reddy, PEW Charitable Trusts; Secretary of Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, State of California.