Story | 17 Jul, 2020
Blue carbon and more: mangroves as superheroes
Mangrove forests and swamps are nature's superheroes, a vital ecosystem for climate mitigation, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and many other benefits for humans and animals alike. On this International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 2020, we present an interactive…
Story | 06 Jul, 2020
Deep-sea mining effects may be felt from top to bottom, surface to seabed
Seabed mining effects will probably not be confined to the sea floor, argues a Proceedings of the National Academy (PNAS) journal article from the University of Hawaii, co-authored by IUCN's High Seas Adviser, Kristina Gjerde. The effects will be…
Story | 30 Jun, 2020
Building ambition for the High Seas Treaty: June IUCN webinar series. What did you miss?
The goal of the three sessions was for all to better understand the UN Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (the High Seas Treaty), to address potential points of divergence, and to build ambition for the …
Story | 13 May, 2020
Blue Finance builds an alliance to monetise and more effectively protect Marine Protected Areas
A key obstacle to effectively managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is a lack of economic resources, but at the Oriental Mindoro MPA in the Philippines, a consortium of dedicated partners is turning one of the world`s most productive ecosystems…
IUCN Statement | 30 Apr, 2020
IUCN deplores the brutal killing of 17 people in Virunga National Park
IUCN is deeply shocked by the tragic loss of 12 park rangers, a staff driver and four civilians close to Virunga National Park, following an attack by armed militia on 24 April. One of the world’s most biodiversity-rich areas and home to the last remaining mountain gorillas, Virunga is Africa’s…
Story | 16 Mar, 2020
Report: the Baltic Sea binds five reports on plastics into one compilation, linked by location
Plasticus Mare Balticum is a compilation of five different reports with a common base: The Baltic Sea, the countries which border it, the plastics flowing into it, and the lives which are affected by it.
1. The marine plastic footprint.
2. Microplastic effect on frozen seas.…
Story | 12 Mar, 2020
Report: Blue Infrastructure Finance, where all win
All coastal and marine ecosystems are critical to human well-being and global biodiversity. Mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds are examples of these. But urban and rural infrastructure investments are having a heavy negative impact on these systems, and it is…
Story | 02 Mar, 2020
IUCN adds its voice to 108 organisations around the Globe urging end to harmful fisheries subsidies
Ahead of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference, scheduled to launch on World Ocean Day, a statement with 108 signatory organisations from around the world delivers world leaders a message: Reach a meaningful agreement to stop harmful subsidies.
Governments have been…
Story | 27 Feb, 2020
Report: Building ambition and planning ahead for the High Seas treaty
A new IUCN report gives a series of recommendations to build ambition for the new agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) under UNCLOS.
…Story | 25 Feb, 2020
"Plastic Waste-Free Islands" sounds like a dream, but a project works to bring it to reality
The Plastic Waste-Free Islands (PWFI) project has started its work: assist several island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean region to reduce plastic waste generation and eliminate leakage to the ocean on which they depend.
In this article we overview the PWFI project and cover the…