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To protect marine ecosystems, scientists are collecting data to strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing within a three-mile radius of The Channel Islands. This method is already banned off the coasts of Central and Northern California. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
The Chumash Marine Sanctuary is on track to become the nation’s first tribal-nominated marine sanctuary. The 4,543-square-mile reserve spans 116 miles from Pismo Beach to Gaviota. The sanctuary status would ban activities such as new oil and gas drilling, seabed disturbance, and certain vessel discharges within the area. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Scientists will turn farmland into tidal wetlands near the Pajaro River in Watsonville to reduce risk of flooding and sea level rise along California’s coast. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll
About 10 billion snow crabs (90% of the population) disappeared from the Bering Sea near Alaska in 2022, likely caused by warming waters affecting their food supply, and starving them to death. There is currently a ban on fishing for the crabs. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
A rare, 12-foot oarfish, which had died before it was spotted by swimmers, was discovered in La Jolla Cove in early August. Since 1901, 20 oarfish have washed ashore in California. Also called the doomsday fish, oarfish typically dwell in deep ocean waters. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Last month, hundreds of sea lions congregated on San Carlos Beach in Monterey, forcing officials to temporarily close the beach to people, who were still treated to a glorious sight. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Researchers may have found an alternative to building sea walls to control sea level rise along the California coast by converting flood-prone farmland into tidal wetlands. During big storms and high tides, this allows ocean waters to move inland in an orderly way instead of threatening homes and other property. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
The United States Geological Survey has identified nearly 1,500 submarine landslide features off the coast of southern California which highlight significant risks to coastal infrastructure and populations. Underwater landslides can trigger tsunamis. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: Heal the Bay issued its 34th annual Beach Report Card, issuing A-to-F grades to more than 700 beaches along the Pacific Coast based on levels of bacterial pollution in 2023-2024. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
According to a recent survey, Californians are most likely to name climate change, forest fires and wildfires, and water supply and drought as the most important environmental issues facing the state. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
The California Energy Commission approved a plan to develop a floating offshore wind industry in ocean waters that would harness wind power from hundreds of giant turbines, each as tall as a 70-story building, floating in the ocean about 20 miles off Humboldt Bay and Morro Bay. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: Extreme heat kills more Americans each year than any other extreme weather events, including wildfires, droughts, and floods. Visit ready.ca.gov to prepare for emergencies and extreme weather. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: Avoid swimming in the ocean up to three days after it rains when water quality is usually worse due to pollutants in runoff. Check your local health agency's website for health advisories. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
California could lose 100 coastal access points this century due to rising sea levels and climate change, according to a new study. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
A UC Riverside study shows that reducing carbon emissions is essential to maintaining circulation of ocean water which regulates the earth’s climate. The study shows that water circulation is slowing down and could cause climate chaos in the future. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll
DYK: According to a recent water quality report of the nation’s dirtiest beaches, three are located in California: Imperial Beach in San Diego; Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica; and San Luis Creek Mouth in San Luis Obispo. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Thousands of sea creatures resembling jellyfish are washing up on Southern California beaches. Velella velella, known as by-the-wind sailors, have stinging tentacles. Learn more #HealthyWorldForAll.
Regional Tribal nations are asking for the opportunity to help influence the way in which offshore wind power is implemented off the shores of the West Coast, according to the director of Tribal and government affairs for Blue Lake Rancheria. Learn more #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: Every week, humans ingest 5 grams of plastic, which is equivalent to eating a credit card . According to the National Institutes of Health, plastics may accumulate in the body and trigger an immune response or cause adverse health effects such as respiratory issues, skin irritation, or systemic toxicity. Learn more #HealthyWorldForAll.
For reasons unknown, since April, hundreds of sick brown pelicans were stranded along the California coast from San Diego to Santa Cruz where wildlife workers are caring for the birds. In 2022, nearly 800 pelicans were admitted to rehab centers and nearly 400 later returned to the wild, state officials said. Learn more #HealthyWorldForAll.
Plan a family trip and view California’s elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park now through November. The park also features the Marine Education Center housed in a historic nineteenth century dairy ranch. Learn more #HealthyWorldForAll.
Space X wants to launch 90 rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County by 2026, resulting in sonic booms which environmentalists say could disrupt marine life. The increase is three times the current number of launches. Learn more #HealthyWorldForAll.
Ocean waves hitting shores emit more PFAS into the air than the world’s industrial polluters, according to new research, contaminating coastlines and increasing human exposure. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Environmental leaders asked the governor and state officials to “act immediately and decisively to protect our ocean from the alarming occurrence of ocean acidification off the California coast…the science is clear that coastal sewage treatment plant discharges of nutrients to the ocean are linked to ocean acidification and the loss of oxygen.” Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
A sea level rise of 3 feet brought on by climate change could put the state’s coastline underwater, according to projections by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, affecting high-population areas along the coast. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Celebrate Mother’s Day on May 12 by planning nature-friendly activities around Mother Earth—the Mother to All of Us and All Life. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Mark your calendars for May 7 and plan to attend the 19th California Ocean Day event in Sacramento where you can learn about the biggest threats to our ocean, opportunities to protect it, and have a chance to meet with your state legislators. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Nearly 44% of plastic pollutants in the ocean are linked to takeout food containers and wrappers, single-use bags, and plastic bottles. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
San Diego city officials reallocated funding for 19 projects—including land acquisition and upgrades to existing parks— to provide equitable access to vital green spaces. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
California park officials expect a spectacular spring bloom of wildflowers peaking in April and lasting through May. Some of the most spectacular blooms will take place in desert landscapes. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
In early March a U.S. Coast Guard vessel “accidentally discharged” about 500 gallons of diesel about 30 miles offshore from the town of Fort Bragg. The spill follows a recent incident in which about 85 gallons of what appeared to be “lightly weathered crude oil” was found off the coast of Huntington Beach. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: According to the United Nation Environment Programme, plastic waste causes $13 billion worth of damage to marine ecosystems every year. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and help protect our planet by participating in local events. This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics and promotes awareness on the health risk of plastics and phasing out single-use plastics. The goal is a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040. Visit earhday.org. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
California’s organic waste recycling program seeks to slash by 75% the amount of organic waste it sends to landfills by 2025 from 2014 levels. The goal is to keep waste from piling up in landfills, and instead turn it into compost or biogas. The program is behind schedule. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForfAll.
Extreme rainfall caused by atmospheric rivers combined with erosion and high tides have caused 100-year-old palm trees to come crashing down at Refugio State Beach on the California coast. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: In 2024, 35 states will introduce policies banning PFAS forever chemicals, according to Safer States, a national alliance of environmental health organizations and coalitions. PFAS are found in numerous consumer products, providing heat, oil, stain, and grease resistance; they also pose serious human health concerns. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Almost 8 million gallons of sewage dumped into the Pacific Ocean in early February resulted in the closure of Long Beach and Cabrillo Beach where elevated bacteria levels were recorded. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
California sea otters are helping to restore their declining coastal marsh habitat at Elkhorn Slough in Monterey Bay. Salt marshes protect the coastline and people living there from erosion and flooding. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Oceanographers recently discovered World War ll-era military munitions and explosives, and sunken whale carcasses, across 135 square miles between Santa Catalina Island and Long Beach. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Southern California beaches lit up in January with bioluminescent waves caused by dinoflagellates which are tiny marine organisms (plankton) that emit a blue glow. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
The public can enjoy a photo exhibit by Marc Shargel that features underwater images of the ocean and learn about California’s endangered kelp forest ecosystem and efforts to save it. The exhibit will be at the Felton Library in Santa Cruz County from January to March 2024. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: Scientists have discovered carbon “hot spots” on the ocean floor covering 6,000 square miles from Mendocino County to San Mateo County. The hot spots act as a carbon reservoir, preventing carbon from being released into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. The amount contained in the area is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of seven million cars driven for one year. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust plans to redevelop a 1.86-acre former oil drilling site in South Los Angeles into a complex with affordable housing, a community center, and a park. The community fought to shut down the drilling site and to have the wells capped and equipment removed. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
DYK: According to a new study of 83 U.S. cities, formerly redlined areas (which are still predominantly Black, brown, or low-income) experience higher noise levels which can damage hearing after less than two hours of exposure. The noise also affects animals in the area. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
Environmental groups want more protections for marine life and habitats along the California Coast. About 12% of state waters are covered by strongly protected areas known to be effective at conserving ocean life. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll.
A sewage spill last month in Laguna Beach that was caused by a blocked sewage main closed areas from Victoria Beach to Goff Island Beach. Swimming or surfing in contaminated water can cause serious health issues. Learn more at #HealthyWorldForAll
Today is World Ocean’s Day, a chance to celebrate ongoing actions towards ocean protection. One such endeavor on the U.S. west coast is also an opportunity to uplift Indigenous leadership via the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in central California.
James Fawcett of the USC Sea Grant program at USC Dornsife explains how the line of ships floating off the coast waiting to offload goods is making a mark on the local environment.
When Lucas Zucker talks about sea level rise in California, his first thoughts aren’t about waves crashing onto fancy homes in Orange County, nor the state’s most iconic beaches shrinking year after year.