Healthy oceans can help save us from climate change
International coalition advances marine conservation as part of the solution to climate change
A large international coalition today urged the United States to support marine conservation options that will help mitigate climate change.
The ‘Blue Climate Coalition,’ comprised of sixty-six conservation groups and interests and over 150 marine scientists and professionals, from 33 countries, issued communications addressed to President Obama and the United States Senate.
Together, the coalition letters request the option for marine conservation solutions to climate change to be considered in national climate change legislation and international climate change treaties, and support for marine science research that further explores this concept.
Eminent oceanographer and conservationist, Dr. Sylvia Earle, endorsed the letters as the first scientist to sign-on. In her latest book, ‘The World Is Blue,’ Earle reveals how dangerous oceanic change threatens the very existence of life on Earth and argues for renewable strategies that safeguard the natural systems that sustain us.
News of the coalition’s effort made its way to Hollywood, and to the notice of Gilles Marini, most recently of ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ Gilles signed the letters as a supporter of healthy oceans.
Philippe, Jr., and Alexandra Cousteau, grandchildren of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, signed-on, representing their respective conservation organizations EchoEarth International and Blue Legacy International.
A wide range of interests were represented in the coalition letters: environmental conservation, climate change education and advocacy, ecosystem restoration, the dive industry, ecotourism and sustainable travel, carbon offsetting, fishing, and scientific research.
Scientific Backing
The coalition’s message is supported by reports released recently by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). UNEP’s ‘Blue Carbon’ report highlights the carbon storage potential of coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and saltwater marsh lands.
The UNEP report found that the restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems and a reduction in the clearcutting of tropical forests could mitigate anthropogenic carbon emissions by up to 25%.
The IUCN report, titled ‘The Ocean and Climate Change,’ finds that failure to recognize the ocean in climate change discussions will have profound consequences for humanity. The report also recommends for additional research to quantify the carbon value of ocean ecosystems. This recommendation is echoed in the coalition letters, to ensure full scientific backing any future natural ocean carbon policies.
“Utilizing the natural carbon functions of both the green and blue biospheres of our planet is an option that we simply cannot afford to ignore if we are serious about tackling climate change and making the transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy,” said Mark J. Spalding, President of The Ocean Foundation and signatory to the coalition letters.
The Urgency of Action
“The United States will play a crucial role in next month’s climate change discussions in Copenhagen,” said Steven J. Lutz, Executive Director of Blue Climate Solutions, the group that organized the letters. “We are asking the United States to show global leadership by advancing solutions for climate change that involve coastal and marine conservation. Many U.S. federal and state agencies are already pursuing actions that could be considered climate mitigation, such as the restoration of coastal and estuarine habitats. These actions need to be continued and encouraged.”
Recognizing the carbon value of healthy coastal and marine ecosystems may be significant for achieving consensus at the Copenhagen negotiations. The health of coastal ocean ecosystems is a critical issue for many developing countries, especially small island developing states. The need to restore the ocean’s natural carbon function could help direct billions of dollars towards conservation efforts, while simultaneously supporting local economies and countering the threat of climate change throughout the globe.
Economic stimulus associated with restoring the ocean’s natural carbon function include funding and investment for activities such as improving water quality, ecosystem restoration, coastal surveying, and the innovation of new environmental monitoring and restoration technologies.
“Restoring the ocean’s natural ocean carbon function is proposed as an alternative to potentially harmful ocean geo-engineering schemes recently discussed in Congress,” said Lutz. “Restoration activities that naturally fix carbon in to forms other than dissolved carbon will also not increase ocean acidification.”
Environmental co-benefits associated with natural ocean carbon solutions include renewed and sustainable fisheries, the conservation of endangered marine species and birds, and the restoration of certain coastal ecosystems. Mangrove forests are considered essential habitat for many fish species, and healthy seagrass meadows are indispensable for endangered sea turtles and manatees.
“Sea turtle hatchlings need healthy coastal and marine ecosystems in order to survive,” said Lutz. “It just so happens that we also need the same healthy ocean ecosystems to survive on this blue planet.”
Source: Blue Climate Coalition
Schools Receive Grants to Help Kids be Active, Eat Healthy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan supports physical activity and nutrition programs for students and their parents
More than 16,600 Michigan children and their local communities will get an opportunity to participate in walking, climbing and other physical activities and to learn to eat healthily, through a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
They’ll join youngsters like those at Detroit’s Maybury Elementary School who now have more options to stay fit.
“The rock climbing wall installed last year gives students in all grade levels the opportunity to succeed at challenges, develop balance, upper body strength and problem solving as they travel along the wall,” said Linda Almeranti, a physical education teacher at Maybury Elementary, a recipient of a BCBSM grant.
Thirty-six schools throughout Michigan will share in a $333,400 grant with awards ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. Physical activity and nutrition programs vary from installing new playground equipment to hands-on organic gardening programs. Grant applications were offered to schools statewide based on certain criteria such as student participation rates in free and reduced lunch programs along with a population historically at risk for obesity.
“Even though our students have 20 minutes of recess time each day and are encouraged to engage in physical activity, they seldom do because our playground equipment is outdated and there’s simply not enough equipment for all students to use. With the funds secured from this Blue Cross grant, and a matching funds grant from GameTime Playground, we’re going to purchase new equipment and structures that will increase students’ physical activity,” said Scott Hutchins, principal, Bennett Elementary School in Jackson.
Since 2004, the Blues have provided nearly $1 million in funding to address childhood obesity among more than 113,000 school children throughout the state as part of our Building Healthy Communities grants.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has a mission that is unique among health insurance companies, and these grants are examples of how we help create stronger, healthier Michigan communities through partnerships with schools and others,” said Lynda Rossi, Blues vice president of Public Policy and Social Mission. “The grants promote physical fitness and nutrition to help children prevent serious health conditions down the road.”
As part of its unique social mission, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is committed to focusing on reducing health care costs and improving quality, increasing access to health care coverage and services, and improving the health status of Michigan’s residents, particularly children.
The schools receiving grants are:
- Adrian – Michener Elementary School. Construct an outdoor fitness course for use by the school and local community. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Battle Creek – Doris Klaussen Developmental Center. Purchase fitness books and software designed for special needs students; supply pedometers for walking program; offer healthy food choices. Grant amount: $12,620.
- Detroit – Carstens Elementary School. Continue the Stop Everything and Start Exercising Now -SEASEN- program. Grant amount: $13,110.
- Detroit – Clara W. Rutherford Academy. Continue the “5-2-0-1″ program emphasizing fun physical activities and healthy lifestyles. Grant amount: $12,202.
- Detroit – Detroit Edison Public School Academy. Introduce a swimming program through collaboration with the Boll YMCA. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Detroit – Fleming Academy. Provide nutritional counseling, stage a health screening fair, issue pedometers for a stepping challenge and sponsor a field day. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Detroit – Greenfield Union Elementary and Middle School. Establish a healthy food co-op and erect a hoop house greenhouse. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Detroit – Isaac Crary Elementary School. Implement nutrition programs and involve families to participate in physical activity through new and enhanced playground equipment. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Detroit – Katherine B. White Elementary School. Add a dance program and complete the Healthy School Action Tool. Grant amount: $2,000.
- Detroit – Mark Twain School and Academy. Renovate a barren playground to include a track, basketball and tennis courts; add a climbing wall to the indoor gym. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Detroit – Maybury Elementary School. Purchase sports equipment, support physical activities during the day, and offer a healthy eating and cooking class to parents and students. Grant amount: $13,400.
- Detroit – Parker Elementary and Middle School. Develop an outdoor fitness track and supply pedometers to students; dietitians will provide programs on healthy eating habits. Grant amount: $11,000.
- Grand Rapids – C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy. Install interactive playground and fitness equipment made from recycled plastic. Grant amount: $14,290.
- Grand Rapids – Central High School. Teach students how to shop for and create healthy meals; offer more physical activity programs and implement the Grand Rapids YMCA Healthy U program. Grant amount: $14,325.
- Grand Rapids – Creston High School. Open the gym facilities before and after school to students and the community. Increase academic opportunities which encourage health promotion and disease prevention. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Grand Rapids – Kent Education Center High School. Complete a YMCA fitness assessment and supply pedometers to start walking. Grant amount: $1,790.
- Grand Rapids – Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy. Implement a smart eating program, add a salad bar for middle school lunch program, provide healthy snacks and purchase pedometers for a walking club. Grant amount: $2,200.
- Ionia – Douglas A. Welch Community Center. Provide pedometers and heart monitor for a fitness program, add a climbing wall, soccer goal and indoor equipment. Grant amount: $7,620.
- Jackson – Bennett Elementary School. Install new playground equipment. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Lansing – Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy. Update playground and gym equipment and promote nutritious eating habits. Grant amount: $10,000.
- Mt. Clemens – M. L. King, Jr. Academy. Construct a fitness trail with activity stations available to the local area. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Saginaw – Francis Reh Academy. Students will create a healthy community awareness campaign focusing on how nutrition affects chronic diseases and how to engage in fun physical activities to improve health. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Taylor – Blair Moody Elementary School. Construct a playground play pad and a hoop house for hands-on organic gardening and farming. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Traverse City – Traverse Heights Elementary School. Improve fitness equipment, conduct after school physical fitness activities, implement healthy food options by cooking from scratch in the kitchen, and provide healthy snacks to students. Grant amount: $15,000.
- Waterford – Sandburg Elementary School. Increase fruit and vegetable consumption through a weekly free, fresh fruit program, cooking demonstrations and nutrition education for students and their parents. Grant amount: $13,840.
- Whittemore – Whittemore Prescott High School. Add a healthy food station in the cafeteria. Grant amount: $15,000.
BCBSM is also helping schools develop Healthy School Action Tools which are designed to help Michigan schools create healthier environments. The HSAT process offers schools a method to assess their environment and focus on one or more specific topics.
These schools are receiving $1,000 to complete their HSAT assessment:
- Detroit – O.W. Holmes Elementary School
- Grand Rapids – Aberdeen Elementary School
- Grand Rapids – Alger Middle School
- Grand Rapids – Ottawa Hills High School
- Ionia – Emerson Elementary School
- Jackson – Cascade Elementary School
- Jackson – Frost Elementary School
- Jackson – Hunt Elementary School
- Jackson – Northeast Elementary School
- Taylor – Myers Elementary School
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and administers health benefits to 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the state. The company offers a broad variety of plans including: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue Incentives PPOs; Blue Care Network HMO; BCN Healthy Blue Living; Flexible Blue plans compatible with health savings accounts; Medicare Advantage; Part D Prescription Drug plans, and MyBlue products in the under-age-65 individual market. BCBSM also offers dental, vision and hearing plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com.