An ocean of hope
In a monumental, jaw-dropping demonstration of global community, the nations of the world made history when they agreed The High Seas Treaty – to protect 95% of the habitable space on Earth. Ed Goodall explores how we got there and what happens next. Last summer I was feeling frustrated when I wrote a blog about…
Read MoreTracking whales from space will help us save them
Satellite technology holds one of the keys to 21st century whale conservation, so we’re exploring an incredible new project idea that will revolutionise saving whales. The fate of whales may well lie, not in the ocean, not in vast halls where policymakers debate laws to protect them, but in the night sky. Beyond the atmosphere. …
Read MoreThe power of harbour porpoise poo
We know we need to save the whale to save the world. Now we are funding a pioneering project that’s proving that porpoises are our underwater climate allies too. We are uncovering more and more evidence showing how essential whales are for a healthy marine ecosystem. They are helping us to fight the climate and…
Read MoreWhat have dead whales ever done for us?
When dead whales wash up on dry land they provide a vital food source for many species, but fewer whales means fewer carcasses and that’s bad news. It may seem strange to talk about the benefit of dead whales, but even in death whales are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, and not just marine…
Read MoreTalking crap and carcasses to protect our planet
We know we need to save the whale to save the world because they are our allies in fighting the climate and biodiversity crises. We also know that a lot of amazing people are doing incredible work to gather the evidence we need to convince climate policymakers of this. But research into the climate role…
Read MoreTo protect whales, we must stop ignoring the high seas
Almost two-thirds of the ocean, or 95% of the habitable space on Earth, are sloshing around beyond human borders and the jurisdiction of any country. These waters contain some of the last wilderness areas on the planet, are packed with life, and some spots are so remote that few humans have ever ventured to them.…
Read MoreGive the ocean a chance – our message from the UN Ocean Conference
I’m looking out over the River Tejo in Lisbon, Portugal, reflecting on the astounding resilience of nature. It’s the end of a motivating and exhausting five days at the second UN Ocean Conference (UNOC). Before the conference started, I went out on the river with Astrid Fuchs and Bianca König (colleagues from WDC Germany) and…
Read MoreWhales are our climate allies – meet the scientists busy proving it
At Whale and Dolphin Conservation, we’re working hard to bring whales and the ocean into climate conversations at the highest levels. I lead WDC’s ‘Green Whale’ team and this week I’m at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon talking to policymakers about the vital roles whales play in our fight against the climate crisis.…
Read MoreClimate giants – how whales can help save the world
We know that whales, dolphins and porpoises are amazing beings with complex social and family lives, and we are leaning more about them all the time. But we are only beginning to understand that whales are essential in ensuring a healthy ocean and helping us combat climate change. The ocean is our largest carbon sink,…
Read MoreFrom managing commercial slaughter to saving the whale – the International Whaling Commission at 75
Governments come together under the auspices of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to make decisions that affect whales (and more recently dolphins and porpoises too) … and what happens to whales impacts the ocean and all of us. So as the IWC celebrates its 75th anniversary, let’s explore how this international body began by attempting…
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