Ocean Policy & Governance

In this episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill lists a few actions, however improbable each might sound, to outline changes in policy, planning, and governance that just might make a difference in the problems that confront the ocean--from subsidies, oversight, and options for the coastal zone to building pubic awareness and enforcement of existing regulations and treaties.

Environmental justice is defined by the EPA as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies..." However, there are many examples where this is simply not the case, as in the location of landfills, incinerators, sewage treatment plants, etc.--uses with known hazardous and unhealthy impacts which affect the local communities typically inhabited by indigenous peoples, minoritie

Today, June 8th, is World Ocean Day, a date designated officially by the United Nations for a worldwide celebration of the contribution of the ocean to human civilization. There are activities, films, festivals, clean up events and more from Stonington, Maine to the Seychelles Islands. What is your contribution today? What will you be doing to mark World Oceans Day?

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Peter Neill, Director of the W2O and host of World Ocean Radio, provides coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. World Ocean Radio, a project of the World Ocean Observatory, is a weekly series of five minute audio essays on a wide range of ocean issues. Available for syndicated use at no cost by community radio stations worldwide.