Tag: COVID-19

As Oil Prices Crashed, Tankers Idled off California—Spewing Pollution for Weeks

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June 12, 2020 By Alejandra Borunda National Geographic
Giant ships lurked off the California coast for weeks in April and May, their bellies full of up to 20 million barrels of oil. This floating cache, enough to support the energy needs of the entire U.S. for a day, sat aboard an idling fleet that pumped out tons of pollutants, according to a new analysis performed by the University of College London and shared with National Geographic. These emissions could ultimately affect the long-term health of coastal communities—many of them already at risk and underserved—and they added tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Pandemic Rules Make Saving Right Whales Tougher, Researchers Say

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May 26, 2020 By James Munson Bloomberg Law
A multiyear, cross-border collaboration to stop the decline of North Atlantic right whales faces challenges this summer because of rules enacted to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Strained resources have forced Canada’s federal government to cut back some monitoring flights over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while bans on large gatherings and closed international and provincial borders will interrupt valuable research into what’s killing the species and hinder whale rescue missions, say conservationists.

Opinion: 8 Ways to Rebuild a Stronger Ocean Economy After COVID-19

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May 12, 2020 World Economic Forum
Some of the COVID-19 stimulus packages that are being designed to recover land-based industries and communities are also exploring ways to leapfrog forwards into greener modes of operation. However, little is being considered for bluer modes of operations. Similar opportunities, however, await us in our ocean and on our coasts. Here are eight pathways for rebuilding an ocean economy that is both stronger and more sustainable after COVID-19.