Our mission at the Center for the Blue Economy is to provide economic and policy analysis that supports the development of a robust and equitable blue economy for the 21st century.
The Center uses the World Bank’s definition of the Blue Economy: the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.
Our research focuses primarily on two key areas—1) helping organizations and governments measure their ocean and coastal economies in order to help guide policy, and 2) the economics of climate change adaptation in coastal regions. While the Center examines economic activities in the open ocean—e.g., renewable energy, fisheries, and shipping—we devote most of our attention to issues in coastal zones, particularly building climate resilience and helping coastal communities adapt to climate impacts.
The Center supports our master’s students through funded fellowship opportunities made possible by generous donors. Students in the Environmental Policy and Management program (formerly the International Environmental Policy program) who declare the Ocean and Coastal Resource Management specialization have multiple opportunities to gain real-world experiences with marine-focused organizations in our large network throughout their graduate studies. Students also have opportunities to work with Center staff on our current research projects. By the time our students graduate they have a portfolio of real-world experiences that make them extremely attractive to potential employers.
Student Name: Molly Ryan
Fellowship with the Permanent Mission of Vanuatu to the United Nations
June 13-September 5, 2022
New York, New York, USA
The Republic of Vanuatu announced its intentions to seek an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on the issue of climate change and human rights, specifically to seek clarification of the legal duties of large emitters of greenhouse gases with respect to present and future generations. The campaign seeks to put this as a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly where all countries will be asked to vote on the Vanuatu proposal. Molly assisted the Vanuatu legal and communications team on this campaign, helped to plan a conference on the legal implications of the Advisory Opinion, and she was flown out to New York to meet the team. “The date that the UN General Assembly will be voting got pushed to this March 2023, so we are all waiting in anxious anticipation to see if our efforts pay off! It was an incredible experience and an inspiring group of people to work with,” Molly reflected.
What is Molly up to now?
“This spring I began working with ESP Advisors, an all-female ocean policy consulting group based in Washington, D.C. for my IPSS (International Professional Service Semester). So far it has also been a wonderful experience, though very different from my work with Vanuatu!”
This video highlights a few graduates of the Environmental Policy and Management program (formerly the International Environmental Policy program) who have the Ocean and Coastal Resource Management specialization—a specialization that the Center for the Blue Economy helped to establish more than 10 years ago. OCRM alumni have done quite well in the job market, with approximately 94% currently employed in the ocean and coastal resource management field. Learn more on our Networking and Alumni Success page.
| by The Center for the Blue Economy
With the Biden-Harris Administration releasing it’s whole-of-government Ocean Climate Action Plan, now is the time to evaluate the next steps for true climate solutions and environmental justice.
| by CBE & MB Aquarium Joint Press Release
Study demonstrates wild sea otters have the potential to help generate millions of dollars for local communities.
| by Sierra Abukins
In a small town in the mountains of Colombia students explored sustainable coffee-growing practices, biodiversity, and rural revitalization.
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