Open AccessIntegrating oceans into climate policy: Any green new deal needs a splash of blue
Author(s) -
Dundas Steven J.,
Levine Arielle S.,
Lewison Rebecca L.,
Doerr Angee N.,
White Crow,
Galloway Aaron W. E.,
Garza Corey,
Hazen Elliott L.,
PadillaGamiño Jacqueline,
Samhouri Jameal F.,
Spalding Ana,
Stier Adrian,
White J. Wilson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12716
Subject(s) - climate change , portfolio , environmental resource management , climate policy , business , politics , natural resource economics , environmental planning , political science , ecology , environmental science , economics , finance , law , biology
Recent warnings from scientists suggest there is limited time to enact policies to avert wide‐ranging ecological and social damage from climate change. In the United States, discussions about comprehensive national policies to avert climate change have begun, with “Green New Deal” proposals and climate plans put forth by members of Congress and presidential candidates. Oceans are largely absent or separate from these nascent policy proposals. Here, we highlight a policy framework to develop terrestrial and ocean‐integrated policies that can complement and enhance terrestrial‐focused initiatives focused on four specific sectors: 1) energy; 2) transportation; 3) food security; and 4) habitat restoration. Given political friction and constrained budgets, an integrated policy framework offers greater potential to achieve a portfolio of mitigation and adaptation goals in a cost‐effective manner, beyond what could be realized with marine or terrestrial policy solutions alone.