Cairns-Port Douglas Reef Hub’s Post

Assessing the current and potential value of wetlands has been increasingly recognized in the context of wetland ecosystem conservation. On 29 April, the experts discussed why wetlands are important as a nature-based solution to the climate crisis. The staff of HSF Korea, Dr. Hyun-Ah Choi, also attended and shared the results of the rapid wetland ecosystem assessment. #NatureBasedSolutions #wetlands #RAWES

From fish to clean water, the ocean matters and here's how to quantify the benefits - The Conversation UK https://lnkd.in/gd85wcAy

🌊 Missed our update on the 'Marine Planning for Nature in Wales' report? 🌱 In case you missed it, HMC played a key role in the recently published report, commissioned by the Marine Conservation Society. We contributed insights on ecosystem-based management, cumulative effects assessments, and natural capital approaches to enhance marine planning in Wales. Explore how coordinated policies can drive nature recovery and support Wales’ climate adaptation goals. 🔗 Read the full report: https://buff.ly/3AGeIaZ #MarinePlanning #NatureRecovery #Biodiversity #MarineConservation #HMC #Wales

It’s #CoastcareWeek! 🌊 🫶 Coastal ecosystems are a crucial part of our #environment. They protect shorelines, help improve water quality, nurture marine life, promote tourism, store carbon, and hold special cultural values. In northern Australia, feral pigs devastate coastal wetlands and turtle nests on beaches. Their soil disturbance also releases carbon stored in wetland soils. The National Environmental Science Program’s NESP Marine and Coastal Hub is supporting Indigenous organisations to develop and trial an Integrated Pest Management approach to feral pig control. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/g7jbynwM 📷 A Pearse: assessing greenhouse gas emissions from damaged wetland soils.

#2024ConservationWin: The Great Bear Sea—a 100,000 km² haven off B.C.’s north and central coasts—is home to at-risk species like fin whales and orcas. But rising shipping traffic near the Kitimat LNG terminal puts these marine mammals at risk of fatal ship strikes and harmful pollutants. So we published research mapping ship speeds and pollution hotspots, calling for calmer waters to protect vulnerable species. Alongside our advocacy, this research supports plans for a 30,000 km² network of Marine Protected Areas, co-governed with Coastal First Nations - Great Bear Initiative and provincial and federal governments. Learn more about this research here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gKfp8ZCT

An update on the Climate & Ecology Bill. It has been renamed the Climate & Nature Bill. It remains the only piece of proposed legislation that would tackle the intertwined crises of climate and nature together. Last month I proposed the motion at Wealden District Council and Wealden voted to back the #CANBill, so Wealden is now one of 350 other local authorities supporting it. Here are a few extracts from my longer speech. It is supported by cross party MPs from 11 political parties, leading environmental group Zero Hour and Chris Packham who are all actively working to garner UK-wide support from councillors, politicians, and legislators. The support is extensive, not surprisingly, from organisations including The Climate Coalition, Friends of the Earth, and The Wildlife Trusts. The Bill is also about energy, food security, jobs, and reducing energy bills. It is essential that we elect the next generation of Green MPs to ensure Westminster takes climate responsibility seriously. #wealden #zerohour

Yet some of the councils supporting the Bill are the self same councils flatly refusing to say a word in support of measures required to address the issues the Bill seeks to address. Especially anything to do with agriculture, land use, land management, new road building, or poorly planned urban development. Supporting a Bill is cheap and easy to do. Furthering its aims by reconsidering actions and policies to make material changes is what actually matters. Let me know when a council finds the political cojones to do that. It certainly won't be Shropshire Council leading the way - the North West Relief Road, Darwin Oak, intensive chicken farming expanding and intensive livestock farming unchecked through the planning system, zero attempts to install permeable paving in urban development to cut sewage discharges and cut flood & drought risk, low to zero leadership on nature recovery. The list is long and inglorious despite the heroic efforts of many staff. Sure. Sign up to show support for Bills. But if it isn't accompanied by actions which change damaging previous and current council policy, it's another empty gesture.

⏰ The clock is ticking and countries need to deliver updated climate action plans now! The third five-year cycle of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), due in 2025, is a pivotal moment to enhance global emissions reductions and bolster the resilience of communities and ecosystems. The Nature4Climate coalition has released the second edition of the Guide for Including Nature in NDCs to support national policymakers and technical experts in revising and implementing 2025 NDCs. Launched at COP 29, this guide offers 15 key recommendations, along with resources and case studies, to effectively integrate environmental integrity and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into NDCs. 📘 Read the full guide and join the movement by sharing it with policymakers and experts:  https://lnkd.in/gS8aXeQ8 Acknowledgement: This guidance was produced with the supervision and input of experts from the following organizations: Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, BirdLife International, Crowther Lab | ETH Zurich Restor, Fauna & Flora , IUCN National Wildlife Federation, ifaw, Rare, Tree Aid Wetlands International and Youth4Nature

In a new piece for The Conversation Canada, Justina Ray outlines the actions needed for Canada to meet its climate and biodiversity goals. Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy reflects the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and emphasizes the urgency of protecting Canada’s unique natural assets. However, federal constitutional limits, narrow departmental focus, and insufficient funding constrain its implementation. Canada requires meaningful leadership to turn the vision into reality through mobilization of greater resources and fostering intergovernmental coordination. Read all about it: https://lnkd.in/eEeHZujY 📸 Peter Soroye

🐋🐳🌊 This #ScienceSaturday, explore a study in Tadoussac, Quebec, that suggests how whalewatching could enhance science education by fostering conservation and environmental care, though improvements in interpreter training are needed. Read more: https://lnkd.in/edPg-D8M