INGENIEUR
Blue Carbon Initiative - Ocean and climate change
Coastal communities are increasingly exposed to climate-driven extreme weather events and rising seas . Coastal ecosystems — mangroves , tidal marshes , and seagrass beds — provide protection from these events while improving local fisheries . These ecosystems store up to 10 times more carbon — called “ blue carbon ” — per hectare than terrestrial forests , and the degradation of these ecosystems accounts for up to 19 % of carbon emissions from global deforestation .
Conservation International is demonstrating the importance of ecosystem-based approaches to address the impacts of climate change , including the use of coastal ecosystems to better protect communities from extreme weather . Conservation International , along with IUCN and IOC-UNESCO , leads the Blue Carbon Initiative , a collaborative international effort focused on mitigating climate change by conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems .
Malaysia ’ s Maritime Resources - Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Malaysia ’ s total sea area of 614,159km 2 is almost twice its landmass . The size of its exclusive economic zone ( EEZ ) alone is 453,186km 2 . This spatial dimension is accentuated by the fact that Malaysia is a classic example of a nation fragmented by intervening waters , with more than 600km of the South China Sea separating Peninsular Malaysia from Sabah and Sarawak .
Maritime resources also contribute substantially to Malaysia ’ s prosperity with petroleum and gas constituting Malaysia ’ s single largest export commodity . Significantly , all of the nation ’ s gas and oil fields are found offshore . In 2009 , Petronas contributed tax revenue of RM36.6 billion .
In addition , an estimated 95 % of Malaysia ’ s international trade , the lifeblood of its economy , is carried through the oceans via its international seaports . Malaysia ’ s maritime economy contribution to GDP is about 20 % especially since marine and coastal tourism have become significant revenue earners .
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia ( PEMSEA ) was created with a clear mission — to foster and sustain healthy and resilient coasts and oceans , communities and economies across the seas of East Asia through integrated management solutions and partnerships .
For over two decades , the organisation has provided solutions for effective management of coasts and oceans across the shared seas of East Asia . As the regional co-ordinating mechanism for the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia ( SDS-SEA ), a shared marine strategy among 14 countries in the region , PEMSEA works with national and local Governments , companies , research and science institutions , communities , international agencies , regional programmes , investors and donors towards implementation of the SDS-SEA . Crucial networks such as learning centers also contribute their expertise and coastal management skills to the shared goals of the SDS-SEA .
It aims to proactively build effective inter- Governmental and inter-sectoral partnerships and expand the capacities of countries and other stakeholders with innovative cross-cutting policies , tools and services , for integrated coastal and ocean management . PEMSEA applies integrated coastal management ( ICM ) as the primary approach for generating and sustaining healthy oceans , people and economies .
The SDS-SEA was adopted by 12 Governments in December 2003 , namely : Brunei Darussalam , Cambodia , China , DPR Korea , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , RO Korea , Singapore , Thailand and Vietnam , with the signing of the Putrajaya Declaration of Regional Co-operation for Sustainable Development of the Seas of East Asia . In 2006 , the Governments of Lao PDR and Timor- Leste also adopted the SDS-SEA .
As originally drafted , the SDS-SEA incorporated relevant international conventions , existing regional and international action programmes , agreements and instruments , as well as applicable principles and implementation approaches for achieving sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia . It did not create a new set of obligations but rather complemented existing ones .
36 VOL 83 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2020