Building a sustainable ocean economy requires all hands on deck. Sometimes the most inspiring blue innovations come from nature itself, for example polar birds, as our story for World Penguin Day shows.
We have the evidence that a sustainable future for the ocean is not only needed, it is possible. Digital traceability schemes for sustainable seafood and hybrid electric maritime transport are two examples of exciting blue technology developments that we are highlighting this month. Innovation is also needed in the blue finance space, as we show in our story on the evolution of blue carbon markets.
For blue innovation and technology to thrive we need to support the changemakers with the ideas and enthusiasm to make a difference. Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative opens the call for the Ocean Changemakers Challenge, a chance to win support for strategies that harness marine resources for economic development and social prosperity while protecting the health of the ocean.
Coverage and events on blue innovation and tech from the World Ocean Initiative:
| Penguins fill gaps in understanding of global warming In celebration of World Penguin Day 2022, we look at new forecasting methods that reveal polar birds are harbingers of change in the Antarctic. Read more |
| Ocean Changemakers Challenge: The next wave of innovators The call is out for innovative, passionate leaders to bring their visions for a sustainable blue economy to the third annual Ocean Changemakers Challenge taking place during the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit in October 2022. Apply today |
| Are blue carbon markets becoming mainstream? The role of ocean ecosystems in removing carbon emissions moves into the spotlight, highlighting the potential for the emerging blue carbon market. Read more |
| Is Seafood traceability coming of age? Could digital traceability schemes finally address the challenge of 30% of seafood being unreported and potentially unregulated and illegally caught? We explore the technology that is keeping the industry on track. Read more |
| How sea journeys are becoming more sustainable Welcome to the future of maritime transport. Electric and hybrid technologies are helping address the need to reduce emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2030. Read more |
Upcoming events
Insight Hour: Shipping: achieving zero emissions by 2050, Virtual event
May 24th 10am BST / 11am CEST / 5pm HKT
Register free >
World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit: Powering the next phase in blue growth
October 4th-5th 2022, Halifax, Canada
Apply to attend >
2nd annual World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific
November 29th-30th, Singapore
Save the date >
From our partners
Is green and sustainable chemistry the solution to marine chemical pollution?
Charles Goddard, editorial director at Economist Impact discusses the responses to chemical pollution with Joel Tickner, professor of public health at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Professor Tickner is also the founder and executive director at the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council.
Listen to the podcast