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Want to fight Russian aggression in Ukraine and beyond? Decarbonize
No full textRapidly transitioning the U.S. and global economies to renewable energy would not only weaken our foes, it will also save millions of lives while strengthening our national security and protecting our common future
Scenic Cruising in Portland Harbor
No full texthttps://cbe.miis.edu/homepage_carousel/1028/thumbnail.jp
Spatial Microsimulation for Regional Analysis of Marine Related Employment
Full text linkThis paper presents a modelling framework that facilitates marine policy impact assessment at a scale that is below the national level. The spatial microsimulation approach provides a regional level of analysis not generally possible when dealing with ocean economy statistics that are often even difficult to compile at a national level and offers a powerful modelling tool for maritime spatial planning. The spatial microsimulation model is used to profile the spatial distribution of marine related employment in Ireland. It is then used to carry out a micro-level regional assessment of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions on the distribution of employment in the Irish ocean economy. The results demonstrate that many of those made unemployed in the ocean economy during the first lock down were outside the main urban centers, particularly in the case of marine tourism and leisure and the marine natural resource based industries. The paper argues that the use of such spatial microsimulation approaches can facilitate a more evidence based policy response to an economic shock, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, in terms of industry and regional specific supports and can also inform more effective marine spatial planning
A Guide to Creating Core Ocean GDP Accounts
Full text linkStart with a simple question. What does the ocean contribute to the national economy? This might seem like a trivial question. After all, the contributions of other major natural resources such as agriculture or forest products are regularly counted as the output of farming, food, and fibre industries along with lumber and other forest products. But in most countries, there is no identifiable “ocean economy”. Industries like marine transportation or fishing are accounted for, but nothing that ties all the varied ocean-related economic activity together. Without a deliberate effort to identify and measure all relevant economic activity related to the ocean as part of a comprehensive account it is easy to miss industries like tourism and recreation or marine construction. Combining data on ocean-related economic activities to provide an ongoing, comprehensive picture of how ocean and coastal resources that can be used for a variety of purposes is the task of creating what can be called core ocean accounts. This process is underway in many countries around the world, and many others are considering creating their own core ocean accounts or are asking whether it is worth doing so. This guidance document has been prepared to assist the latter countries decide whether and how to proceed with creating core ocean accounts. For those countries that have created accounts, it provides a review of methodologies that may improve future versions of their accounts. The guidance is designed for readers with little familiarity with economics but also contains practical information for specialists who may work such accounts. Why are they called “core” ocean accounts? Ocean accounting is envisioned as a system of measurement that can show the complex interactions of physical, biological, social, and economic systems in ways that are consistent, understandable, and actionable. Full ocean accounts as envisioned by the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) will consider not only the value of labour and capital employed in directly producing goods and services associated with the ocean, but also the values of the ocean natural capital whose returns are not paid for in the transactions that make up what we usually think of as “the economy”. Ocean accounts can also include ways to measure the capacity of organizations to address the complex systems involved. Figure 1 provides a conceptual overview of the full ocean accounting system as envisioned, with the core accounts highlighted in red. But at the core of all these “accounts” lie those goods and services whose production and sale must be understood first because they affect directly or indirectly all other values and because they are the aspects of ocean economic value. They are “core” to the ocean accounting process because they are necessary, though not sufficient. This does not mean that setting up ocean accounts must start with the national income-based accounts. For many reasons a country may choose to start the ocean accounting process with an environmental account for a particular region or resource, and other guidance for the creation of these accounts will be available from GOAP (www.oceanaccounts.org)
Prospects for Valuation in Marine Decision Making in Europe
Full text linkThere is now high-level recognition that the UN Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved if the decline of ecosystems and biodiversity can be halted and reversed. This will require effective control of ongoing pressures, meaningful protection and enforcement of protected areas, and significant investments in ecosystem restoration. This paper explores the possible use of economic valuation and appraisal in achieving these goals in marine systems and discusses the European marine policy instruments where they should have an important role The paper first briefly reviews the tools of economic valuation and appraisal for marine ecosystem management. A critique of the use of economic valuation and appraisal in marine conservation and restoration is then presented. The paper argues that while progress has been made there remains a pressing need for better integration of marine environmental values in policy processes. It also highlights the fact that the focus on natural capital accounting, and more generally on green/blue growth and market instruments, could create a reliance on exchange values at the expense of welfare values required for policy appraisal
Exploring Perspectives of the Validity, Legitimacy and Acceptability of Environmental Valuation using Q Methodology
Full text linkThe extension of market systems and economic appraisal methods to the natural world and allocation of scarce resources is highly controversial and viewed by some as unethical. This has resulted in questions about the appropriate role of valuation and appraisal methods in informing policy and decision-making. We address this issue by assessing the different points of view that exist in marine research, management and policy communities regarding the estimation of monetary values for marine ecosystems and services and their use in appraisal and policy settings. The principal perspectives emerging from a Q-sort survey of x respondents reveal a clear distinction between a group that is highly sceptical of the framing of human-environment relations in terms of ecosystem services and of the use of economic appraisal and valuation tools in this context, and two or three other groups that are broadly favourable towards that paradigm and its methods, but with slightly different reasons for supporting valuation in practice. Despite the distinguishing features, areas of consensus emerge, including a strong shared perspective that places avoiding damage to marine biodiversity and ecosystems as a fundamental obligation. Furthermore, it is shown that the sceptics do not entirely reject valuation out of hand, but rather express understandable concerns about applicability and appropriate uses that are to some extent recognised by the pro-valuation groups
Leque Island Wetlands Restoration (Puget Sound)
No full textLeque Island was created by diking and draining a wetland at the mouth of the Stillaquamish River on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife restored the wetland to enhance habitat for salmon, create recreation opportunities and improve flood resilience.https://cbe.miis.edu/homepage_carousel/1030/thumbnail.jp
Portland Headlight
No full textThe headlight at the entrance to the harbor of Portland Maine is the second oldest light house in the U.S., authorized in the first administration of George Washington.https://cbe.miis.edu/homepage_carousel/1031/thumbnail.jp
