An Ocean of Opportunities: Ocean APPG Chair Sally-Ann Hart MP writes for Marine Professional magazine

The Chair of the APPG for the Ocean and Sally-Ann Hart MP, has written an article about the ocean’s important role in combatting climate change in the Institute of Marine, Engineering, Science and Technology’s Marine Professional magazine.

In the opinion piece, Sally-Ann explains that global warming poses particular risks for coastal communities but that the ocean can also play an active role in tackling the climate crisis. The ocean is one of our greatest environmental assets, and we run the risk of devastating climate consequences if we do not protect it.

The APPG’s inaugural inquiry, Turning the Tide on Climate Change, called on the government to prioritise ocean-based carbon dioxide removal approaches and invest in blue carbon. In the opinion piece, Sally-Ann highlights how the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) echoed many of the APPG’s recommendations which were made in this inquiry report. This includes the establishment and enactment of the first Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) earlier this year.

To build on this this, there still needs to be better understanding, research and data on the ocean - particularly the deep sea – to properly harness its potential, but Sally-Ann believes the tides are genuinely changing on oceanic policy in Parliament.

“To protect coastal communities, restore marine ecosystems, combat climate change, and to meet the UK’s net zero targets, the answer can be found at the bottom of the ocean”.