The Bezos Earth Fund introduced its first ocean conservation grant on 27 June 2022, to contribute in direction of supporting marine conservation.
The Bezos Earth Fund (BEF) revealed its conservation grant to Nationwide Geographic Pristine Seas in the course of the Nationwide Geographic Ocean Night time on the UN Ocean Convention in Lisbon. Over the following 5 years by means of the assist of this grant, the Pristine Seas programme staff shall be discovering, recording, and organising analysis within the central and western Pacific Ocean. This can be a area that comprises the best marine biodiversity on the planet, most of which is presently unprotected from extractive actions.
“The ocean is our planet’s life assist system and a serious carbon sink,” defined Dr Andrew Steer, President, and CEO of the BEF. “Investing within the ocean is usually a highly effective resolution to many main challenges. It could possibly defend important marine ecosystems, present jobs, assist native communities, enhance meals safety, and deal with local weather change. These commitments are the primary of many the Bezos Earth Fund will make to assist marine safety on this decisive decade.”
The BEF grant contributes in direction of understanding and supporting marine life conservation
The Nationwide Geographic Society (NGS) distributes 100% of all grants obtained and funds raised to strengthen its priorities and mission-driven efforts, together with financing its explorer-led programmes, like Pristine Seas. The BEF grant immediately reinforces the society’s ‘ocean’ space of focus – this is among the 5 focus areas outlined within the society’s five-year strategic plan, NG subsequent.
“It is important to discover the depths of our oceans to raised perceive how we will defend them,” noticed Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of NGS. “We’re extraordinarily grateful to the BEF for his or her beneficiant funding and shared dedication to planetary stewardship. This grant will allow the society to proceed championing the vital work of our Pristine Seas programme, accelerating our mission and world influence in assist of our strategic plan.”
Since 2008, the Pristine Seas programme has labored along with native communities, indigenous folks, governments, and different companions to contribute in direction of supporting marine conservation, by creating 26 marine protected areas throughout the worldwide ocean. This covers a complete of 6.5 million sq. kilometres of ocean, which is an space greater than twice the scale of India.
“It’s an honour to obtain this grant. It supplies us with an thrilling alternative to work with native companions to speed up, scale and finance everlasting ocean safety,” mentioned Enric Sala, Nationwide Geographic Explorer in Residence and Founding father of Pristine Seas. “This grant permits the Pristine Seas programme to proceed to offer international locations and native communities with the help and assist they should create marine protected areas and obtain their ocean conservation and financial objectives.”
What are the advantages of ocean conservation?
The tropical Pacific Ocean holds the most important tuna fishing operation on the planet. Nonetheless, world warming is reducing ocean productiveness and transferring tuna populations outdoors the area. Thus, elevated ocean safety wouldn’t solely be good for marine life but additionally for native communities by means of fisheries advantages, elevated meals safety, and mitigation of local weather change. At present, roughly 10% of the island nation’s waters within the tropical Pacific Ocean are very nicely protected.
By means of the facility of discovery, analysis and storytelling, the Pristine Seas staff have interaction with governments and native communities on the importance and substantial advantages of marine protected areas. Indigenous folks, native communities, and key companions are essential in making certain that the method of making and managing a marine protected space is developed and owned by the group. The Pristine Seas programme intends to focus on 4 new areas for defense yearly.
“To make sure that native communities can proceed benefiting from a wholesome ocean, we have to construct a blue financial system the place safety, manufacturing and prosperity all work collectively in unison,” concluded Sala.
