Ocean Justice Forum Unveils Policy Platform, Urges Leaders to Center Justice in Ocean Climate Policy
Washington D.C. - Today, the Ocean Justice Forum, a network of eighteen grassroots and national nonprofit organizations from across the U.S unveiled the Ocean Justice Platform. The platform is a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind consensus based policy proposal that outlines what a just ocean future should look like for coastal communities across the country.
The Ocean Justice Forum Steering Committee released the following statements:
“Defining ocean justice and working toward a future that ensures it, is our collective goal,” said Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab. “The Ocean Justice Platform centers the voices and experiences of historically excluded communities and puts forward an ambitious plan that will build an equitable and just ocean climate future. I’m inspired by the deep, collaborative work our organizations and communities executed over the last year to reach this moment, and look forward to working to make the platform’s policy priorities a reality.”
“For decades, communities of color have carried the heaviest burdens of environmental injustices and the climate crisis, all the while ocean and climate policy has systematically ignored our plight,” said Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Azul’s Executive Director and Founder. “The consequences of inaction and injustice are playing out every day in coastal and inland areas, from Alaska and California to Puerto Rico and beyond. With rising sea levels and extreme storms damaging entire communities, this ocean justice platform reflects the urgency of this moment. We will continue working to advance equitable ocean policy solutions to address those challenges.”
“The climate crisis is an equity crisis,” said Colette Pichon Battle, Esq., Vision and Initiatives Partner at Taproot Earth. “We’ve seen underinvestment in frontline communities and the resulting devastation time and time again. This platform makes the case for resourcing ocean justice communities to prepare for, minimize, and adapt to climate disasters so that no community is left behind.”
“The world is seeing in real-time the disastrous effects climate change is having on coastal communities of color,” said Miriam Goldstein, Senior Director for Conservation Policy at the Center for American Progress. “Without working hand-in-hand with the people and communities most affected, we can’t fully leverage the power of the ocean to address the climate crisis. The Ocean Justice Forum hopes that this platform encourages policymakers to envision and create a more just and equitable ocean and climate future.”
“There is much more work to be done to ensure that ocean and climate policies center those who have been historically excluded from decision making, including Black, Indigenous, and People of color, and poor people,” said Jean Flemma, co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab. “Ocean justice is only possible if we listen to and learn from these communities’ lived experiences. This platform provides a launching pad for a new kind of ocean environmentalism - one that prioritizes ocean justice communities in future policy making.”
The platform–consensus-based federal ocean policy recommendations that promote racial, climate, environmental, and economic justice–sets clear priorities to guide policymakers’ approach to just and equitable ocean policy:
Protect the ocean and the benefits it provides for all: A healthy ocean provides communities with economic opportunities, recreation, cultural and spiritual practices, and more. Policies to protect and restore ocean health through 30x30 and other efforts must include the perspectives of ocean justice communities and provide equitable access to healthy coastlines.
Alleviate the disproportionate burden of pollution on ocean justice communities: Pollution from fossil fuels, agricultural runoff, plastics, and more disproportionately affect ocean justice communities. Policy makers must hold polluting industries accountable while also reducing and removing pollutants.
Promote an economy that sustains the ocean and communities that rely on it: A just ocean economy must prioritize people over corporations and uplift communities with family-sustaining jobs. It’s on policymakers to include communities in decision making and ensure they can support their historic and traditional ways of life
Uplift justly-sourced renewable energy from the ocean: The ocean has more to offer than damaging fossil fuels. It’s time to stop taxpayer support of offshore oil and gas that has harmed ocean justice communities, eliminate port emissions, and transition to justly sourced renewable energy.
Prioritize community social cohesion in disaster response and adaptation investments: For too long, ocean justice communities have not had adequate support from the federal government as they face rising tides and stronger storms. Policymakers must strengthen planning, provide resources to minimize expected impacts, and increase investments in emergency response to help communities recover so that they have the resources and support necessary to make their own short and long-term decisions.
Click here to access the Ocean Justice Platform.
Definition of Ocean Justice
Ocean Justice exists at the intersection of social inclusion, ocean stewardship and justice. It harnesses a power shift advancing the voices, full participation and leadership of historically excluded Peoples and Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities in ocean decision-making, ensures meaningful and equitable engagement of all communities, and delivers equal access to healthy and prospering shorelines and oceans for all.
The Ocean Justice Forum
The Ocean Justice Forum was co-led by Azul, Center for American Progress, Taproot Earth, and Urban Ocean Lab and convened leaders from environmental justice, community, Indigenous, and national nonprofit organizations, including Āina Momona, Brown Girl Surf, EarthEcho International, Earthjustice, Green 2.0, Greenpeace USA, Healthy Gulf, Interfaith Power & Light, Native Conservancy, North Atlantic Marine Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, United Houma Nation, and UPROSE.
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