Center for the Blue Economy
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.
What is the “Blue Economy?”
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
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.
Introduction to the Blue Economy
Online, Self-Paced Course
This three- to five-hour self-paced course will expand your knowledge of the blue economy and lay a foundation for deeper learning in more specialized topics. The Introduction to the Blue Economy course is completely online, asynchronous, and self-paced. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to learn on your own time, from anywhere in the world.This noncredit course is taught by Dr. Charles Colgan, the Director of Research at the Center for the Blue Economy and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics.
Fall 2023 Environmental Justice and Sustainability Speaker Series
Climate Impacts and Adaptation in the US Caribbean: Lessons Learned from the Fifth National Climate Assessment
Online
Open to the Public
Student Opportunities
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!”
Alumni Success
IEP OCRM Alumni Success
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.
Center for the Blue Economy News
Dr. Charles Colgan contributes to the Fifth National Climate Assessment
The Fifth National Climate Assessment is the US Government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses. It is a congressionally mandated interagency effort that provides the scientific foundation to support informed decision-making across the United States. Dr. Charles Colgan, Director of Research at the Center for the Blue Economy co-authored Chapter 10: Ocean Ecosystems and Marine Resources.
Historic Logbooks & Adventures at Sea
The Middlebury Institute attracts amazing faculty and students, and affords amazing opportunities. This spring and summer, MIIS students became published authors, filled a missing gap in historic scientific knowledge, and sailed the open seas.
A New Look for the National Ocean Economics Program
| by Rachel Christopherson and Anthony Castelletto
The National Ocean Economics Program (NOEP) website has long been one of the few places where researchers and the public could go to for data on the Blue Economy. This year we have overhauled the site with new datasets (natural capital, renewable energy, and climate change) and responsive reports.
Follow us on Social Media
on Facebook @CenterForTheBlueEconomy, Instagram @OceanClimateAction, and LinkedIn at Center for the Blue Economy at MIIS
Statement on Leaving Twitter/X
Over the past year we have watched in dismay as Twitter/X has increasingly become a platform for racism, bigotry, antisemitism, disinformation, and fascism. We no longer want to be part of this platform. Please join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.
