CANADA - The Ocean Innovation Nation
Canada is leading the way in developing innovative strategies to preserve oceans and blue carbon ecosystems and it’s no surprise. Canada is renowned for its pristine wilderness and bountiful natural resources. Thus, it’s fitting that Canadians are eager to lead the charge against the largest issue facing humanity and our planet - climate change.
Blue carbon ecosystems provide a natural solution to climate change, primarily through carbon sequestration. They are valuable and rare. The Canadian government is promoting and funding a myriad of initiatives in fundamental ocean research, applied projects in mapping and monitoring, and commercial use of blue carbon tax credits. The issue is immense, and the solution requires action from multiple players and stakeholders. Government policies and regulations are critical, but insufficient in solving this tremendous challenge alone.
Enter Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, an industry-led alliance that has brought together academic and research institutions, startups, scaleups, non-profits, mature corporations, and government to grow a digital, inclusive, and sustainable ocean economy. The cluster's primary focus is directed towards ocean sensing, mapping, and monitoring of carbon sequestration across the North Atlantic Ocean. The Ocean Supercluster recognizes that preserving and enhancing blue carbon ecosystems is vital to the health of our planet.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is harnessing the limitless potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to make the mapping and monitoring processes and technologies more efficient. Their inclusive strategy relies heavily on fostering collaboration with aligned groups across Canada and internationally. A united front is stronger than separate entities. The combined strengths of diverse experts, organizations, and industries will drive innovation and progress towards sustainable climate change solutions. The Supercluster represents a beacon of hope for the future, and a hub of connection for numerous groups dedicated to safeguarding our oceans.
Earlier this month, the Canadian government added further momentum to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster’s activities by announcing $154 million in additional funding through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). Dalhousie University will lead what is positioned to be the most intensive investigation ever into the ocean’s role in climate change. This historical initiative connects 170 researchers at Dalhousie and its partner institutions, Memorial University in St. John’s, Université Laval, and L’Université du Québec à Rimouski to bring about an ocean-first approach to climate science, innovation, and solutions. The CFREF grant has activated additional investment bringing the total funding to approximately $400 million. Anya Waite, Scientific Director and CEO of the Dalhousie-based Ocean Frontier Institute, summed up well the significance of this monumental initiative, “It’s super important because it really puts Canada in the forefront of ocean climate research.” Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has an ambition to grow the ocean economy to 220$ billion by 2035 and they are well equipped and well on their way to doing so.
Now, let’s shift the spotlight to a few other organizations in Canada outside the Ocean Supercluster that are actively forging a path towards a greener future for Canada and the world.
First, there is the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The NCC is primarily focused on land conservation. However, they also play a key role in protecting, managing, and restoring blue carbon ecosystems. In fact, the NCC has protected over 450 kilometres of coastline in British Columbia and along the Eastern seaboard of Canada in the Maritimes. This coastline consists of salt marshes, estuaries, mud flats, beaches, and more. The Campbell River estuary in British Columbia is a wonderful NCC success story. Industry had ravaged this estuary and the marsh around it. After partnering and collaborating with several groups, action was taken and the marsh land surrounding the estuary regained its biodiversity (Ho, 2022). The natural world is dynamic, and if we give ecosystems a chance to regrow, mother nature will take care of the rest.
Photos taken by Jim Van Tine of the Campbell River Estuary before and after restoration.
Second, there is the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund. This fund was launched by the Canadian government in 2017 and was coined as the Coastal Restoration Fund. The fund supports projects that restore and enhance blue carbon and coastal ecosystems. The fund is currently supporting over 60 Canadian projects. These projects aim to restore roughly 650 million square metres of aquatic habitat in Canada (Gouvernement du Canada, 2020). The restoration of this aquatic habitat will provide refuge and increase the survivability of numerous endangered species. Notably, the fund has supported restoration of salt marshes in the Bay of Fundy and creation of seagrass meadows and beds in British Columbia. As was highlighted in our previous SeasToday blog post, these ecosystems are critical homes, nurseries, and feeding grounds to marine and terrestrial species.
Third, there is Oceans North. This non-profit organization is committed to promoting sustainability and conservation in Northern Canada by working alongside Indigenous communities. This group is currently working to establish indigenous protected areas and marine conservation areas in the Arctic (“Indigenous Protected Areas & Marine Conservation”, n.d.). Oceans North is playing a crucial role in increasing the number of protected marine areas in the Arctic Sea. The Indigenous communities in Northern Canada have a deep connection to nature and the sea, and Oceans North recognizes the value of this connection in effective decision-making, advocacy, and policy development. In essence, the communities that coexist harmoniously with the Arctic land and sea are best positioned to represent the interests and well-being of the ecosystems and the biodiversity and local communities they support.
The list does not stop there. By browsing the internet, one can quickly learn that there are multiple pieces on the ocean preservation and innovation game board striving to introduce solutions and make a positive impact. Many groups are establishing measurable headway in protecting our coastal ecosystems and fighting climate change. These initiatives are essential to protect our planet and create a cleaner and more sustainable future. Now you may be asking, how can we as individuals support these projects or get involved? There are many ways. One could simply do their own online research and become more informed. One could also invest in blue carbon credits, or directly support organizations that are engaged in preserving the ocean and blue carbon ecosystems. This is a global challenge that requires a congruent collective response. It will take a global village.
References:
Ho, W. (2020, October 19). Coasting along Canada’s habitats. NCC: Land Lines. https://natureconservancy.ca/en/blog/archive/coasting-along-canadas.html
Gouvernement du Canada. (2022, July 19). Launching the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund. Transport Canada. https://tc.canada.ca/en/campaigns/protecting-our-coasts-oceans-protection-plan/better-protected-coastal-ecosystems/launching-aquatic-ecosystems-restoration-fund
Indigenous Protected Areas & Marine Conservation. Oceans North. (n.d.). https://www.oceansnorth.org/en/what-we-do/indigenous-protected-areas-marine-conservation/
