Turning the Tide: 

U.S. Leadership on Ocean Climate Action & Recommended Next Steps

Strong federal leadership and recent unprecedented investments in ocean and coastal priorities have positioned the U.S. as a global leader to leverage the ocean as a source of climate solutions. With strong ocean climate leadership in Congress and a relentless nationwide network of ocean advocates, our country has ushered in a new era of ocean climate action to build on for generations to come.

The progress report recognizes progress and outlines urgent action in 10 key areas:

  1. Expand Responsibly-Sited Offshore Wind and Phase Out Offshore Drilling

  2. Enhance Coastal Resilience and Adaptation

  3. Promote Green Shipping and Ports

  4. Protect Blue Carbon

  5. Reduce Plastic Pollution and Emissions

  6. Support Climate Ready Fisheries 

  7. End IUU Fishing and Human Rights Abuses in the Seafood Sector 

  8. Advance Marine Protected Areas

  9. Minimize and Address Ocean Acidification 

  10. Evaluate Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

As climate impacts on our ocean continue to intensify, it will be critical to build on the strong momentum for ocean climate action generated over the last several years and continue to take bold action to address the climate crisis.