Ocean advocates find silver linings after Rio+20 disappointment

 photo David Doubilet

 From NationalGeographic


Although agreement was not reached on policing international waters, some firm commitments were made in Brazil.



In an email to National Geographic News from Rio de Janeiro, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Sylvia Earle said of the ongoing UN Conference on Sustainable Development, "Concerning oceans, there is reason to suggest that the outcomes could be characterized as Rio+20 minus 40."
(National Geographic News is owned by the National Geographic Society.)
Earle's words sum up the buzz in the halls of Riocentro—the massive suburban conference center that has hosted tens of thousands of delegates, activists, and journalists this week—as well as among the thousands of protesters that have taken the streets around the Marvelous City.

Still, Earle pointed out, "It is not all bad news, just discouraging to hear the French ambassador say that the will of 183 countries concerning developing a framework for governance of the high seas had come unglued owing to opposition from a small number of powerful countries."
Earle is referring to the United States, Russia, Canada, and Venezuela in particular, who, according to reports, moved to block specific rulemaking on environmental protections in international waters during late-night, closed-door negotiations earlier this week.
(See "Rio+20 Brings Hope and Solutions Despite Weak Talks")

Expressing his disappointment, Kumi Naidoo, executive director of Greenpeace International, told the Guardian, "What kept Greenpeace in the [Rio+20 negotiations] was that it looked like we could get a decent deal on the oceans, but we have now got a really watered-down text that has very little teeth."

Earle said she believes the U.S. government is resistant to start negotiations on a new international oceans treaty, since there has been recent movement to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty, an international agreement that went into effect in 1994 but counts the U.S. as one of a handful of holdout countries.
The Law of the Sea Treaty does include some environmental guidelines, but not as many specific protections as Earle would like.

Earle added that the U.S. also has concerns about fishing interests and is worried about the United Nations gaining authority over U.S. interests, although, she said, the aim of Rio+20 talks was not to put the high seas under UN jurisdiction, but to establish a framework for international governance.
"Presently the High Seas, nearly half the planet, is like the Wild West, and a few industrial fishers from a few countries are wrecking entire ecosystems and depleting species already in serious trouble," said Earle.
"In my remarks [at a Rio+20 panel discussion] yesterday, I used [IUCN marine protected areas expert] Dan Laffoley's comment that we should call this a 'Half the Earth summit,' since the blue half—the high seas—are being seriously neglected."

Also speaking to National Geographic News from Rio, Susan Lieberman, deputy director of international policy for Pew Environment Group, said, "We came to Rio with high expectations for action to address the ocean crisis.
For a once-in-a-decade meeting where so much was at stake, Rio was a far cry from a resounding success.
The lack of progress on managing the high seas, which can and will only be addressed through international action, is discouraging and should have been dealt with here and now.
"It is frankly astonishing that world leaders all agreed this is a major problem needing an international, coordinated solution and then deferred any decision on action for another two and a half years. The future of life in the sea does not need more bureaucratic infighting," said Lieberman.

 photo David Doubilet

Some Progress Made

Still, Lieberman saw some positive developments in Rio.
"The final-outcome document contains good recommendations on ending overfishing, taking action to stop illegal fishing, phasing out harmful subsidies, eliminating destructive fishing practices, and protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems," she said.

Lieberman added that there was a decision to make regulating the catch of commercial species like tuna more transparent, although it will be up to governments to put those regulations into place.
National Geographic's Earle said, "The good news is that the Rio+20 conference may be more important for the enhanced exposure given to ocean issues and other topics not covered 20 years ago," during the first Earth Summit in Rio.
"Meetings over coffee, on the transport buses, and in hallways, bars, and beaches are likely to be more meaningful concerning policies that will endure than all of the exquisitely orchestrated formalities."

Earle pointed to major commitments from the Maldives and Australia for large protected areas within their exclusive economic zones.
She also pointed to the high amount of public participation in Rio+20, including the fact that people from 163 countries submitted nearly a million and a half votes online about environmental issues they wanted to see discussed.
(See more about sustainable oceans.)

"The conference has been a celebration of knowing that nature matters—for business, industry, health, security, and every breath we take, every drop of water we drink," said Earle.
"Whether the political leaders endorse what the people are saying or not is not as important as the lift this conference has given to the growing awareness that the planet has limits."

Earle added that 20 years ago scientists did not have nearly as much data or insight about the environment.
She called the current moment a "sweet spot," and warned that it will soon be too late to take action to reverse the increase of carbon dioxide, ocean acidification, ocean dead zones, deforestation, plastic pollution, mass extinctions, and so on.

 photo David Doubilet

"Too Big to Fail"

Earle said a highlight of the dialogues on oceans she participated in this week in Rio was when one panelist said, "We have to get over the idea that the ocean is 'too big to fail'"—that it will survive and thrive no matter what.

She added that ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau said there are just three things that will save the ocean and ourselves: "Education, education, education!"

 Ideas Labs: Greg Stone, renowned oceanographer and Senior Vice President of Conservation International discusses the importance of creating an Ocean Health Index, with the aim to foster the conservation of our oceans in a systemic and highly effective manner.

One panelist, concerned that fishing interests were under-represented, asked anyone in the audience who made their living as a fishermen to stand up.
No one did.
But then Earle asked all of the fish in the audience to please stand up.
"We were determining their fate, after all, but I didn't see them at the table.  Only on the table," Earle reflected.
Pews Lieberman told National Geographic News, "I wouldn't call Rio a total failure, because a large number of countries recognize the need for international management of the sea, and there were commitments to deal with some of the key issues that are accelerating the deterioration of the marine environment."


Links : 

• OneEarth : At Rio+20 Earth Summit, An Important Step Forward for the World’s Oceans
• EarthJustice : Protection Of Oceans A Bright Spot At Rio+20
• HuffingtonPost : Important Step Forward for World's Oceans / Rio+20 Is Our Chance to Recognize the Benefits Healthy Oceans Have for People
• Rabble : Empty rhetoric, empty oceans: Will Rio +20 change the tide?

Raw Power on Volvo Ocean Race : crossing a North Atlantic storm

A North Atlantic storm during Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 wreaked havoc on the fleet but provided powerful winds that saw race speed records fall and boats averaging over 30 knots on multiple stretches.

Relive some of the wave-crashing, high-speed sailing action from Lisbon to Lorient won by Groupama sailing team.

Planet Ocean : revealing marine majesty

A brilliant 90-minute documentary filmed by directors Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot, along with their team in partnership with the scientific support of Tara Expeditions, captures the extraordinary images of our remarkable oceans - the source of all life on our planet.

Planet Ocean, presented at Earth Summit 2012 in Rio de Janeiro (RIO+20), Brazil in June, is a collaborative film that aims to explain some of the planet's greatest natural mysteries and highlights how essential it is that mankind learns to live in harmony with our oceans.

From Omega

The premiere of Planet Ocean at the Rio+20 Summit presents outstanding aerial and underwater ocean views from across more than 20 countries to illustrate and educate the audience about the beauty covering the surface of our planet and the challenges we have forced upon the marine ecosystems we depend on.

Directors Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot have worked with other activists, scientists and enthusiasts to bring to audiences the 90-minute documentary that serves not only as a prime example of Earth’s beauty, but as an illustration of the dangers that threaten our ocean and our entire planet.
It was been created to change the way people look at the oceans and encourages them to imagine conservation as a globally-shared responsibility.

his collaborative film aims to explain some of the planet’s greatest natural mysteries and highlights how essential it is that mankind learns to live in harmony with our oceans.
The majestic underwater imagery brings to life the relationship we have with this precious life source and how it has changed over time as we have developed.

Planet Ocean also serves as reminder of the bond between humans and nature, and the duty that exists to protect and respect our planet.
It allows young people to imagine that a more sustainable world is not only desirable but achievable.

As president and founder of GoodPlanet, Yann Arthus-Bertrand is committed to raising public awareness of environmental issues.
Throughout his life he has been incredibly involved with various productions that have emphasized his enthusiasm and passion for the natural environment.

Michael Pitiot has also dedicated his life to exploring and capturing the environment.
More recently his productions have focused on the mysteries and explorations of the oceans, and the relationship humans have with this marine environment.

Navy researchers seek to improve weather prediction for global operations

Advanced Weather Modeling - The Future Forecast
The Office of Naval Research's efforts in funding ocean research are yielding improved weather and ocean prediction models that help Navy leaders understand how to route ships around the globe to avoid storms, reduce fuel consumption, avoid Arctic ice flows and promoted safety at sea.

From ONR

ONR-developed weather models and tools aid Navy forecasters and meteorologists around the world
 

With the Atlantic hurricane season officially beginning this month, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is pursuing a number of projects to help Navy forecasters and meteorologists around the world predict storms better.

"Weather is one of the most significant factors affecting naval operations at sea," said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder.

"ONR-funded research in weather prediction is improving the Navy's forecasting capability and accuracy for any location around the world where our Sailors and Marines are conducting missions."

ONR's efforts in funding ocean research are yielding enhanced weather and ocean prediction models—highlighted in a new video—that help Navy leaders understand how to route ships around the globe to avoid storms, reduce fuel consumption, avoid Arctic ice flows and promote safety at sea.

At the Fleet Weather Center in Norfolk, Va., Navy meteorologists depend on ONR-developed weather models and tools to provide timely, comprehensive and tactically-relevant products and services to support Fleet training and operations.

"We use real-time sensing data, observations from ships and combine that with modeling outputs to try and get as far ahead of the bad weather as possible," said Commander Adam Newton, Operations Officer.

"This information improves safety at sea and can give the Fleet a real warfighting advantage."

While the Navy forecasters focus on supporting Fleet operations around the world, ONR often partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) because the same data and weather models that Navy forecasters use also help NOAA to provide accurate weather prediction and storm warnings across the country.

"There is a concerted effort to link various atmospheric and oceanic models together to attain more accurate weather forecasts," said Dan Eleuterio, an ONR program officer.

Eleuterio is working on a new computer model called the Tropical Cyclone Coupled Ocean/Atmospheric Mesoscale Prediction System, or TC-COAMPS, which allows scientists to forecast storms' track and strength in real time at high resolution.

It was the first dynamic model to demonstrate better skill than statistical approaches at NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and is one of several Navy and NOAA models being evaluated by the National Weather Service's Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program.

"Up until now, predicting the intensity of storms was done with statistical-dynamical models," said Eleuterio.

"What that means is that forecasters would look at several decades of observed data and they would simply say that if a storm is in this place this season, it is most likely going to get stronger or weaker or change. It wasn't an actual prediction, and TC-COAMPS will change that as a next-generation weather prediction model."

ONR researchers work with underwater autonomous vehicles, ocean gliders and other sensors to collect information about how much the ocean environment drives global weather patterns.

That data helps scientists improve mathematical equations for computer models that predict weather, ocean, sea, and even Arctic ice conditions.

The Navy has a long history of conducting missions in the Arctic for research and military purposes, and in 2009 published the Navy Arctic Roadmap to help ensure naval readiness and capability and promote maritime security in the Arctic region.

Developed by the Navy's Task Force Climate Change, the plan includes increasing operational experience, promoting cooperative partnerships and improving environmental understanding.

"The Arctic ice flows are retreating, and that has strategic implications for our country and naval operations in that region of the world as sea lanes open for shipping," said Rear Adm. David Titley, director of the Navy's Task Force Climate Change.

"ONR research is helping us understand the Arctic environment, which helps us predict conditions and design future Navy ships better suited for that tough mission."

Tracking the sea ice cover is the responsibility of the National Ice Center (NIC), a multi-agency organization operated by the Navy, NOAA and the United States Coast Guard in Suitland, Md. "Weather modeling is really key to better understanding and forecasting of changing ice conditions in the Arctic," said Pablo Clemente-Colón, NIC's chief scientist.

In the future, ONR researchers hope to combine multiple weather prediction models to create a comprehensive coupled global model that will greatly extend prediction capability, accuracy and our understanding of the world's environment.

World Hydrographic Day sails into Wollongong

Should’ve checked the map!

From ABC

On 21 June each year the International Hydrographic Organization celebrates World Hydrography Day.
The theme for 2012 is: ’International Hydrographic Co-operation – supporting safe navigation’.

In-line with World Hydrography Day, new electronic navigational chart services have been introduced to vessels operating in Australian and Papua New Guinean waters.

Commodore Rod Nairn who is the Hydrographer for the Royal Australian Navy launched the use of the new systems at the Australian Hydrographic Office in Wollongong. 

Celebrated annually, World Hydrography Day recognises the important role hydrography and nautical cartography plays in regard to maritime safety, trade and environmental protection.

Hydrography is the charting of water topographic features and nautical cartography is the study and practice of making maps – both pivotal to the operations of mariners and the Royal Australian Navy.

Commodore Nairn says this type of technology will be particularly useful in the northern waters of Australia, where they are the most environmentally sensitive.

He says the information mapped and charted by the Australian Hydrographic Office can be accessed by members of the public.
“We’re the national charting authority, not just the Navy charting authority,” said Commodore Nairn.
“Both paper charts and now the electronic navigational charts are available for all mariners operating in Australia’s waters and they are the official data.”

With a great knowledge of the Navy, from his earlier years in service, Peter Riley spoke to Commodore Nairn on 97.3 ABC Illawarra Breakfast.
Listen below to their full conversation :

Links :

• Hydro : World Hydrography Day - 2012