Newsletter Archive

Dear Atlas Member This month's newsletter covers Hurricane Sandy - the largest Atlantic tropical storm ever measured - which beat a violent and destructive path across the Caribbean and up the northeast coast of the United States. We highlight a report from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, who warned of the threat of 'ocean-grabbing' to food security. Read on about this and other news in ocean information. If this newsletter may interest someone you know, please forward it. Contribute to and participate in the growing Atlas community by becoming...

Dear Atlas Member The 67th United Nations General Assembly recently kicked-off by recognizing the multiple and complex challenges facing the international community - from the effects of climate change to the current economic crisis. Among its many tasks, the Assembly will follow-up on the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) which includes dealing with oceans and coastal issues. Many initiatives to support the work ahead are emerging, including the UN Secretary-General's Oceans Compact, aimed at setting out a strategic vision for the UN system to deliver on its ocean-related mandates. This month's newsletter features items...

Dear Atlas Member This month, the Yeosu Expo 2012, the international exposition in Yeosu, South Korea celebrating the theme The Living Ocean and Coast winds up with the reading of the Yeosu Declaration. As a legacy of the Expo, the Yeosu Declaration is intended to both emphasize the challenges faced by oceans and coasts as well as promoting the international cooperation needed to turn those challenges into hopes for the future. At Yeosu, there will also be an international conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention...

Dear Atlas Member This month's newsletter features signficant oceans-related news and events: Following the recent Rio+20 Conference, held in Brazil from 20-22 June, a dedicated section on oceans and seas, and small island developing States (SIDS) features in the Outcome Document The Future We Want. It stresses the critical role that oceans play in sustainable development and commits to protecting and restoring the health, productivity and resilience of oceans and marine ecosystems in order to maintain their vital biodiversity for present and future generations. Other highlights in the newsletter include World Oceans Day on 8...

Dear Atlas Member This month is especially significant for oceans-related news and events. World Oceans Day on 8 June celebrates the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a key international agreement which sets out the legal framework within which activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. To mark the day, the Empire State Building in New York City will be lit in white, blue and purple, representing the different layers of the ocean. The long-awaited Rio+20 Conference will be in full swing in Brazil on...

Dear Atlas Member This month we continue our coverage of what's new in ocean information, from the recently-produced Review of the State of World Marine Fishery Resources from the FAO; limits of liability for international shipping by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to UNESCO's World Migratory Bird Day on 12-13 May 2012. We also feature a video of a white orca; rememberance of the 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic; and news of shark-dive tourism and invasives in the Pacific Ocean. If this newsletter may interest someone you know, please forward it. Contribute to and...

Dear UN Atlas Member, In the lead up to Rio+20 to be held in June in Brazil, oceans will be one of the topics of focus. We will highlight related items as the conference nears. Today, March 8, is International Women's Day - this year's theme is Empower Rural Women - End Hunger and Poverty. Let's be reminded of the important role women play in relation to the world's oceans and see what some have achieved: women oceanographers; women working for oceans; women in fisheries -- let us know about remarkable women...

Dear Atlas Member In the run-up to Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to be held in June, interested groups from youth to government leaders are defining a vision for the world of tomorrow - including a look at oceans - in Rio+20: The Future We Want. Take a look at what is happening and join the global conversation. Highlights in this month's newsletter include a recent interagency report, Green Economy in a Blue World, on how healthy seas and coasts could pay healthy dividends in a green economy, describing the huge potential...

Dear UN Atlas Member, We start this new year with a look at recent events and news: learn about the newly-launched Decade of Biodiversity, outcomes of the Durban conference on climate change and documents covering a variety of oceans-related topics. As the year unfolds, we can look at some of the challenges and opportunities facing the sustainable development of the world's oceans: climate change negotiators can take their recently-agreed deal forward and put actions behind signaturesRio+20 Conference has a chance to ensure that oceans and coastal issues are prominently featured on the global agendadevelopment and exploration...

Dear UN Atlas Member, The Climate Change Conference 2011 kicked off this week in Durban, South Africa. Working Together: Saving Tomorrow Today is the theme of the gathering, bringing together thousands of representatives from countries, international organizations, NGOs and civil society. Oceans-related issues to be covered range from looking at climate change effects in the Arctic to adaptation and mitigation in coastal communities: On 3 December a special Oceans Day event at Durban will involve key players from leaders of Small Island States to well-known scientists and will also feature PaCFA - the Global Partnership...