Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

Norwegian Group Katapult Ocean Invests in ecoSPEARS Environmental Startup With NASA Clean Water Technology

• ecoSPEARS • Energy Solutions • Plastics & Pollution

In the selection process, Katapult Ocean screened and interviewed a pipeline with more than 1,500 startups. Since 2018, Katapult Ocean has made 32 investments in exciting ocean impact companies from all over the world (17 countries and four continents). "Few options exist when it comes to eliminating persistent and emerging contaminants in soil, sediment, and oil - a problem which has grown with industry globally. ecoSPEARS is well-positioned to become the benchmark cleantech company for green remediation," said Jonas Skattum Svegaarden, CEO of Katapult Ocean.

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How planting 70 million eelgrass seeds led to an ecosystem’s rapid recovery

• Joseph Polidoro, Science News • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture

In the world’s largest seagrass restoration project, scientists have observed an ecosystem from birth to full flowering.

As part of a 20-plus-years project, researchers and volunteers spread more than 70 million eelgrass seeds over plots covering more than 200 hectares, just beyond the wide expanses of salt marsh off the southern end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

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Can the ocean fix our broken food systems?

• Sophie Ryan, World Ocean Initiative • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture

As one of the most resource-efficient protein production sectors and one of the most nutritious foods available, farmed fish has the potential to meet growing demand for food in a way that serves people and protects the planet. But can it live up to the promise, asks Sophie Ryan, chief executive officer of the Global Salmon Initiative.

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Proserv, Synaptec Developing Cable Monitoring Solution for Offshore Wind

• Marine Technology News • Energy Solutions

Controls technology company Proserv Controls has teamed up with power system monitoring firm Synaptec to develop a cable monitoring system for offshore wind farms.

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Macquarie and Siemens announce major energy-as-a-service joint venture

• Toby Hill, Business Green • Energy Solutions

Investment bank Macquarie and German tech giant Siemens have teamed up to launch a new flexible energy joint venture, Calibrant Energy, in a bid to offer comprehensive energy-as-a-service (EaaS) solutions for corporate and industrial clients as well as municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals.

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UK firm Carbon8 to deploy carbon capture technology at Dutch energy plant

• Toby Hill, Business Green • Energy Solutions

A UK firm pioneering carbon capture storage and utilisation (CCUS) technology is set to deploy its equipment for the first time at a Dutch power plant that generates energy from waste, it announced this week.

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5 economic opportunities for a sustainable ocean economy

• World Economic Forum • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports

The ocean economy is one that has been overlooked by COVID-19 stimulus packages to date, write World Resources Institute experts. However, supporting the ocean economy has significant benefits, with every $1 invested returning $5.

Here are 5 ocean priorities can help its economic output and support the wider economy.

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Why the CFTC’s New Report on Climate Change and Financial Stability Matters

• Leonardo Martinez-Diaz, World Resources Institute • Energy Solutions • Plastics & Pollution

Climate risk is not one risk, but bundles of complex risks that interact with each other and with existing vulnerabilities in our financial system. Also, these risks are heading toward us at an accelerating pace.

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Silicon Valley billionaires want to geoengineer the world's oceans

• Mark Harris • Energy Solutions

Should billionaires be able to start tinkering with the climate without asking the rest of us?

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Why science and innovation are crucial for a blue recovery

• WORLD OCEAN INITIATIVE • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports • Tourism

The latest World Ocean Initiative webinar highlights recent developments in promoting ocean science, developing technological innovations and boosting financing instruments.

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Seaweed: The food and fuel of the future?

• Adrienne Murray • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture

Seaweed production has boomed. Between 2005 and 2015 volumes doubled, surpassing 30 million tonnes annually, reports the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.

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Climate crisis: Wind and solar produce record 10% of world’s electricity, but scientists warn faster change is needed

• Harry Cockburn, Independent • Energy Solutions

Use of coal is falling and renewables are surging around the world, but the progress is not enough to meet the targets set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, scientists have warned.

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How to Mine the Oceans Sustainably

• Michael W. Lodge, Scientific American • Energy Solutions

Deep-sea minerals, including nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt, are crucial to building clean-energy technologies.

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Researchers Develop New, Cheap Way to Turn CO2 Into Ethanol

• Olivia Rosane • Energy Solutions

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a cheap, efficient way to convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuel, potentially reducing the amount of new carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere.

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How four investments could accelerate a sustainable ocean economy

• World Ocean Initiative • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports

A new report commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy outlines the four investments with the biggest potential to secure ocean health and wealth.

 

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Rising Seas Could Menace Millions Beyond Shorelines, Study Finds

• Brad Plumer • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Tourism

As climate change raises sea levels, storm surges and high tides will push farther inland, a team of researchers says.

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ESG investors wake up to biodiversity risk

• Billy Nauman • Energy Solutions • Plastics & Pollution

Damage to ecosystems including forests and coral reefs forecast to have devastating effect on global economy

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Why a sustainable blue recovery is needed

• Dona Bertarelli & Mukhisa Kituyi • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports • Tourism

Mukhisa Kituyi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and Dona Bertarelli, UNCTAD’s new special adviser for the blue economy, outline what the blue recovery agenda should include. Developing countries in particular can benefit.

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Will Clean Energy Projects Face Troubles That Have Bedeviled Pipelines?

• By Jason Bordoff • Energy Solutions

If the permit process is not improved, solar and wind energy efforts may face protracted delays or shutdowns.

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Oceans panel presses coastal states to invest in ‘blue recovery’

• Fiona Harvey • Energy Solutions • Fisheries & Aquaculture • Plastics & Pollution • Shipping & Ports

Report says there are substantial economic benefits to be had from ocean conservation

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