Blue Optimism
Every year, records are shattered for our warming planet as we witness the devastating effects of climate change on communities, livelihoods, and Nature. UN climate meetings seem to mark another year of inadequate response; efforts to stem the flow of plastic pollution falter; elections in many countries push us farther away from practical solutions to these shared, global challenges.
So how could anyone be optimistic? I’ll share my top three reasons to feel that way, as we begin 2025, and ways each of us can make those hopes a reality. All three are centered on our deep, blue ocean.
First, while many national governments are falling short, cities are taking things seriously, especially along our coastlines. Mumbai and Sydney are restoring mangroves, which act as natural buffers against storm surges, while absorbing more carbon than a rainforest of similar size. Cities as diverse as Rotterdam and Dhaka are adapting to rising seas by harnessing the blue economy with innovative floating schools, homes, “water plazas” and food gardens.
The world’s biggest companies have also realized the planet doesn’t have unlimited resources and that we must use, or reuse, what we have more efficiently. Parley for the Oceans has engaged Adidas to create products from upcycled ocean plastics; shipping giant Maersk has invested in low-carbon ships and fuels on a path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040; food producer Danone is a leading developer of regenerative aquaculture practices and is supporting projects to restore seagrass and mangroves.
Finally, in an era of increasing partisanship, there have
been some bright blue sparks of agreement across traditional political lines.
AltaSea sponsored SB 605 in California, with unanimous bi-partisan support, to
incentivize renewable wave and tidal energy and that led to our Congressmember,
Nanette Barragan, introducing the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act
this year. That measure also earned bipartisan support, giving it great
prospects for passage in 2025. These measures are good for the environment and
the economy, because as we highlighted in a recent
opinion piece…”waves off the coast of the United States have a technical
energy potential about 34 percent of all electricity generated in our country.”
Those are some of my reasons for “blue” optimism, but what can each of us do to protect, restore, and sustainably use the ecosystem that covers 70% of our planet? How about going back to basics by recognizing that we all live near the ocean, even if your home is in the middle of the US or other parts of the world far from the coast.
Polluted highway runoff, trash, fertilizers and pesticides generated in the US heartland flush into the Mississippi River and out to the Gulf of Mexico, creating giant dead zones that harm Nature, the fishing industry, and a nice day at the beach. Forests far from the coast absorb a lot of C02 and cool the planet, so cutting them down results in more heat absorbed by the ocean, causing more intense hurricanes and flooding.
So, no matter where we live, we can help the ocean by reducing our own carbon footprints, eating sustainable seafood, recycling paper and cardboard (at least!) and avoiding single-use plastics. I would also recommend taking time, especially over the holidays when families might be looking for entertainment that everyone will enjoy, to watch the amazing new Ocean X streaming series. You’ll be inspired and motivated!
It has been said that “sometimes, in the waves of change, we find our true direction.” A decade ago, when AltaSea was founded, few people had heard of the blue economy. Just this month, US federal government announced investments of $54 million into blue economy startups, “waves of change” that will one day innovate even more climate and sustainability solutions and great jobs from the ocean.
At AltaSea, we say “our future is blue.” Now, the evidence is all around us, and that’s a reason for optimism.
Best regards
Terry Tamminen
President/CEO