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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Featured Pathways

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

More pathways

Ready to get started?

Our Platform

Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

Engage with our video hotspots and knowledge check-ins

Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

Connect Sustainability Unlocked to your current platform

Featured Content

More featured content

The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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The Transition Challenge for Other Blue Economies

The Transition Challenge for Other Blue Economies

Vincent Kneefel

15 years: Ocean conservationist

Aside from fishing, what are the other key blue economies? To start, offshore energy, shipping and tourism. Join Vincent Kneefel as he explores the benefits and drawbacks of each industry.

Aside from fishing, what are the other key blue economies? To start, offshore energy, shipping and tourism. Join Vincent Kneefel as he explores the benefits and drawbacks of each industry.

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The Transition Challenge for Other Blue Economies

12 mins

Key learning objectives:

  • Identify 3 key blue economies

  • Outline the benefits and drawbacks of each

Overview:

The first key blue economy is the global offshore wind market. It grew nearly 30% per year in the last decade and is projected to expand strongly in the coming decades into a $1 trillion USD industry. However, the downsides include damage to marine ecosystems, bird collision, habitat displacement and underwater noise. The second key blue economy is shipping. Sea transport is the cheapest way of sending products in large quantities over a long distance, with over 70% of world trade is carried out by ships and the demand is projected to grow by 39% until 2050. However the drawbacks are huge, including: oil spills, pollutants, air emissions, ship strikes, underwater noise pollution, invasive species and habitat destruction. The last key economy is tourism. Over 350 million people travel to the world’s coral reef coasts each year, generating over $36 billion in economic revenue globally each year. However, the downsides include companies who abuse the concept of eco-tourism in order to take advantage of the wealth generated.

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Summary

What are the benefits and drawbacks of offshore energy? 

Offshore renewable energy refers to the generation of electricity from ocean-based resources. These include wind turbines located offshore in our oceans and marine energy sources including waves, tides, and salinity and thermal properties. The global offshore wind market grew nearly 30% per year in the last decade, benefitting from rapid technology improvements. Offshore wind is projected to expand strongly in the coming decades into a $1 trillion USD industry. It has the potential to generate more than 420,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year worldwide. This is more than 18 times the total global electricity demand today. Currently, offshore wind generation remains at 1% of overall world electricity generation. 

Offshore wind farm development is not without its potential downsides. Significant growth in this area has led to concern about the negative impacts on marine ecosystems and seabirds, collision, habitat displacement, exposure to electromagnetic fields and underwater noise. Though there have been cost improvements over the years, offshore wind turbines are still higher cost than onshore wind turbines. 

What are the benefits and drawbacks of shipping? 

Sea transport is the cheapest way of sending products in large quantities over a long distance. Even today, over 70% of world trade is carried out by ships and the demand for seaborne trade is projected to grow by 39% until 2050.

However, while the benefits of shipping (namely, convenience) are huge, so are the drawbacks. Some of the biggest risks and impacts from shipping on the ocean include: oil spills, pollutants, air emissions, ship strikes, underwater noise pollution, invasive species and habitat destruction.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of tourism? 

Over 350 million people travel to the world’s coral reef coasts each year. Marine tourism supports local jobs, such as surf instructors and dive guides, as well as generating visitor spending at nearby hotels, restaurants, and other establishments. Marine tourism fees can subsidise conservation and help fund marine protected areas. Coral reef tourism alone generates over $36 billion in economic revenue globally each year. 

Although the overall concept and intent of eco-tourism is positive, the industry is not without its critics. This is largely due to companies who abuse the concept of eco-tourism in order to take advantage of the wealth generated by global interest (not dissimilar from the way certain companies greenwash their business practices to benefit from the improved public image). However, if it helps to safeguard the wealth that it produces, then tourism can have a real positive impact on our oceans.

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Vincent Kneefel

Vincent Kneefel

Vincent Kneefel is an underwater photographer, ocean conservationist and circular economy expert. He has worked for organizations such as WWF, United Nations and Accenture on strategic sustainability and ocean conservation initiatives. His photographs show some of the most iconic and endangered creatures of our ocean.

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