Article on blue carbon published in UN Today magazine

My article on the "Three reasons why 2023 could be the year of blue carbon" has been published in UN Today, the official magazine of United Nations international civil servants in Geneva. The article explores how blue carbon is vital in addressing the three interconnected planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

World Water Week 2022: My five key takeaways

It was encouraging to see the source-to-sea approach making waves at this year’s World Water Week, organised by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). However, ocean solutions could still be featured more prominently. Here are my five takeaways.

How business can drive positive ecological change in the ocean

On July 7th I moderated a World Ocean Summit Insight Hour on how business can be a key driver behind restoring the regenerative capacity of critical ecosystems. I was joined by leading scientists, conservationists and executives to discuss key solutions to restore ocean health and create both socio-economic and ecological value.

Innovation is at the heart of building a sustainable ocean economy

In a guest article for Innovation News Network I examine how Innovation is crucial to both harness the opportunities a sustainable ocean economy can offer and address the risks that ocean degradation poses. Innovative solutions include ocean energy, the decarbonisation of shipping, aquaculture, ecosystem restoration and ‘blue carbon’, ocean geoengineering, and blue finance.

High Seas: Shared stewardship for our global ocean

During Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2020, organised by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, I moderated a great plenary panel discussion on the high seas. I was joined by six experts on ocean governance to discuss the prospects for a new high seas treaty.

If you could invest US$1bn in one ocean solution, what would it be and why?

On World Oceans Day I moderated a great webinar on the importance of ocean investment. The webinar also included the screening of the premiere of a new Economist film featuring Sir David Attenborough and other leading ocean thinkers.

A sustainable ocean economy in 2030: Opportunities and challenges

For World Oceans Day The Economist Group’s World Ocean Initiative has published a new report highlighting economic and environmental benefits that ocean industries should aspire to achieve by 2030.

The future of seafood: how can we feed the world?

On Thursday May 28th I moderated a fantastic webinar on the future of seafood. The panel discussed the most important sustainability challenges facing fisheries and aquaculture.

The post-coronavirus ocean economy: where do we go from here?

The World Trade Organisation expects global trade to fall by up to a third in 2020 as covid-19 disrupts supply chains, economic activity and life around the world. The effects on the ocean economy are profound. On May 12th I moderated a World Ocean Initiative webinar to discuss the prospects for the post-coronavirus ocean economy.

Why blue finance is essential to a sustainable ocean economy

The ocean makes a large and growing contribution to the global economy. Yet the ocean economy is a long way from becoming a truly sustainable “blue” economy. To achieve this transformation, huge quantities of capital are required to meet challenges such as restoring coastal ecosystems, developing low-carbon shipping fuels and boosting sustainable seafood.

How 2020 can be the year to build a truly “blue” economy

Safeguarding and harnessing the ocean’s ability to provide for people and the planet is crucial for sustainable development. The year 2020 could be the year in which the world starts to realise that its prosperity depends on building a new—truly blue—ocean agenda.

UN climate talks in Madrid: How can the ocean help to address climate change?

Weary delegates to last week’s COP25 climate talks have arrived back home to digest the outcome for ocean sustainability and the blue economy. The conference discussed in some depth how the ocean can help to address climate change.

World Fisheries Day: Finding solutions to unsustainable and illegal fishing

November 21st marks World Fisheries Day. Total world fish production is expected to reach 201m tonnes by 2030—a growth of 18% from 2016. Yet one third of global fish stocks are being exploited at unsustainable levels, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Our Ocean conference in Oslo

In October I attended the annual Our Ocean conference in Oslo. The conference was established in 2014. Eye-catching commitments from governments, businesses and civil-society organisations are a hallmark of the conference. But the transformation towards a truly “blue” economy requires more fundamental changes.