Ocean Policy & Governance

Treaties, Laws, and Regulations

What We Can Do After Rio+20

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

The reports on Rio+20 are in, and they are not good for the ocean. Many experts and activists from around the globe worked hard to formulate serious policy recommendations and priorities, and went to Rio to advocate for inclusion of ocean sustainability in the final report. Many  of these hard working individuals and groups left Rio disappointed.

Themes:

Ocean Plus Rio Plus 20

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

For the UN Rio+20 Conference in June, ocean leaders published a declaration intended to inform delegates and to advocate for ocean issues to be included in the conference outcome and the global development agenda for the next two decades. In this episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill will outline the seven action items of the declaration in order to share the scope and limits of the concerns being addressed by experts and agencies working on these issues every day.

Themes:

Failed Governance

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

Ocean Health Index

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

One group of scientists/economists is attempting to define the health of the ocean by a number: a new Ocean Health Index.  Sponsored by Conservation International, the National Geographic Society, the New England Aquarium, and staffed by scientists from many leading ocean research and advocacy organizations aro

Themes:

Policy, Planning, and Governance

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

In this episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill lists a few actions, however improbable each might sound, to outline changes in policy, planning, and governance that just might make a difference in the problems that confront the ocean--from subsidies, oversight, and options for the coastal zone to building pubic awareness and enforcement of existing regulations and treaties.

Themes:

Environmental Justice

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

Environmental justice is defined by the EPA as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies..." However, there are many examples where this is simply not the case, as in the location of landfills, incinerators, sewage treatment plants, etc.--uses with known hazardous and unhealthy impacts which affect the local communities typically inhabited by indigenous peoples, minoritie

Themes:

World Ocean Day

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

Today, June 8th, is World Ocean Day, a date designated officially by the United Nations for a worldwide celebration of the contribution of the ocean to human civilization. There are activities, films, festivals, clean up events and more from Stonington, Maine to the Seychelles Islands. What is your contribution today? What will you be doing to mark World Oceans Day?

_______________________________________________________________________

Themes:

Canals

You may need: Adobe Flash Player.

Peter Neill, Director of the W2O and host of World Ocean Radio, provides coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. World Ocean Radio, a project of the World Ocean Observatory, is a weekly series of five minute audio essays on a wide range of ocean issues. Available for syndicated use at no cost by community radio stations worldwide.

Themes: