scholarly journals Blue Economy and Blue Activities: Opportunities, Challenges, and Recommendations for The Bahamas

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1399
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Bethel ◽  
Yana Buravleva ◽  
Decai Tang
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Marine Biotechnology ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Ocean Renewable Energy ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Blue Economy ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
Offshore Aquaculture

Following the global shutdown of tourism at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, small island developing states such as The Bahamas had their economies immobilized due to their heavy dependence on the industry. Beyond economic recovery in a post COVID-19 paradigm, the blue economy, blue growth, and associated activities offer pathways for a more resilient economy and is well-suited for The Bahamas. This paper suggests conduits for economic development using a traditional strength, coastal and marine tourism, in conjunction with the emerging fields of ocean renewable energy, offshore aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and bioprospecting. The interlinkages between each activity are discussed. Knowledge gaps in offshore aquaculture, ocean renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and marine environment monitoring are identified. In each sector case, strategic and tactical decision-making can be achieved through the exploitation of ocean numerical modeling and observations, and consequently should be invested in and developed alongside the requisite computational resources. Blue growth is encouraged, but instances of blue injustice are also highlighted. Crucially, pursuing blue economy activities should be given top national priority for economic recovery and prosperity.

scholarly journals A call for a blue degrowth: Unravelling the European Union's fisheries and maritime policies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Hadjimichael
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Growth Strategy ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
Ocean Energy ◽  
Marine Biotechnology ◽  
Marine Aquaculture ◽  
Blue Economy ◽  
Blue Growth

Terms like blue growth (as well as the blue economy) have become the new buzzword inscribing a new era where the seas are recognized as potential drivers for the European economy. It is nevertheless, through this same logic of limitless economic growth, marine resources have been unsustainably exploited despite numerous institutional attempts to tackle overfishing. The aim of this paper is to point at the contradictions inherent in the objectives of the blue economy, and question the belief that ecological, social and economic targets can be achieved under (blue) growth-centred policies. An analysis of the (failing) policies for a ‘sustainable use of marine resources’ will be conducted and exemplified through an analysis of the main tools the EU has promoted as solutions to the fisheries crisis (sustainable consumption, privatisation of fish, fishing in waters of third countries and marine aquaculture). Additionally, the sectors promoted by the EU's Blue Growth strategy (marine aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology, ocean energy and seabed mining) will also be evaluated in order to question this new vision for the seas and the coast. Through the introduction of the concept blue degrowth, this article aims to open up a more critical discussion around the blue growth strategy by highlighting the inherent dangers which lie in such economic strategies.

scholarly journals Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion—Flexible Enabling Technology for Variable Renewable Energy Integration in the Caribbean

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2192
Author(s):  
Robert J. Brecha ◽  
Katherine Schoenenberger ◽  
Masaō Ashtine ◽  
Randy Koon Koon
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Gis Mapping ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Hourly Data ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Many Caribbean island nations have historically been heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for both power and transportation, while at the same time being at an enhanced risk from the impacts of climate change, although their emissions represent a very tiny fraction of the global total responsible for climate change. Small island developing states (SIDSs) are among the leaders in advocating for the ambitious 1.5 °C Paris Agreement target and the transition to 100% sustainable, renewable energy systems. In this work, three central results are presented. First, through GIS mapping of all Caribbean islands, the potential for near-coastal deep-water as a resource for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is shown, and these results are coupled with an estimate of the countries for which OTEC would be most advantageous due to a lack of other dispatchable renewable power options. Secondly, hourly data have been utilized to explicitly show the trade-offs between battery storage needs and dispatchable renewable sources such as OTEC in 100% renewable electricity systems, both in technological and economic terms. Finally, the utility of near-shore, open-cycle OTEC with accompanying desalination is shown to enable a higher penetration of renewable energy and lead to lower system levelized costs than those of a conventional fossil fuel system.

Unlikely (but Perfect) Partners in the Fight for the Green Energy and Fair Trade Economy

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-223
Author(s):  
Fred Redmond
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fair Trade ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
General Election ◽  
The Other ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Sierra Club ◽  
Recovery Plan ◽  
A Priority

A priority for the United Steelworkers the last several years has been its work with the Sierra Club as part of the Blue Green Alliance. By working with our unconventional allies, we impacted the most important general election in any of our lifetimes. Now, smart investments in renewable energy and fuel-efficient cars are cornerstones of the Obama administration's economic recovery plan. The other priority issue when we began the Blue Green Alliance was fair trade. It still is a priority.

scholarly journals Barbados towards 100% Renewable Energy: Case Scenarios for 2030 National Energy Target Plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Sheldon Marshall ◽  
Randy Koon Koon
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Energy Profile ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
The Impact

The integration of renewable energy (RE) into the overall energy mix of Caribbean nations has been increasing in recent times. The volatile nature of the carbon-based industry through fluctuations in prices of fossil fuel based-products renders it necessary to promote an aggressive energy profile transition to renewable energy, as this is crucial to energy security in these vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The nation of Barbados has notably understood this reality and, as such, its government has endorsed the approach of 100% RE implementation by 2030. This paper explores three distinctive annual growth rate (AGR) scenarios to assess the impact on the expected power generation, economic and environmental parameters through the period of 2019-2030. Notable findings at a high case scenario for 2030 (at an AGR of 3%) projects a power generation of 1.343 Tera-watts-hour (TWh), which will displace 790,500 barrels of oil equivalent (boe), resulting in an abatement of approximately 0.95 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Suitable Locations of Ocean Renewable Energy (ORE) in Indonesia Region – GIS Approached

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 230-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noir P. Purba ◽  
Jaya Kelvin ◽  
Rona Sandro ◽  
Syahrir Gibran ◽  
Resti A.I. Permata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Ocean Renewable Energy

Reimaging the Routes to Resilience & Renewables in the CARICOM & OECS Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-135
Author(s):  
Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Imported Oil

The states of the CARICOM and OECS Caribbean are small island developing states (SIDS) which are exceedingly vulnerable to economic and ecological shocks. Examples of vulnerability are the economic cost of a heavy reliance on imported oil & gas resources, and the pernicious effects of climate change. A key strategy to mitigate these vulnerabilities is to invest in renewables, increase resilience, and effect an energy transition for the Region. However, research and data on renewable energy and resilience in the region is still evolving. Further, it has become apparent from stakeholder fora such as CREF and IRAC that there are certain fundamental elements which need to be understood and addressed before the Region can achieve a just energy transition. The first is a clear understanding of what resilience means for the Region's renewable energy sector. The second relates to financing options which incorporate elements of resilience into renewable energy projects. Thirdly, in the rebuilding from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recognised that reimagining full gender equality in the energy sector will be key to sustainable and competitive development. This Article explores the recent developments to re-imaging the route to resilience and renewables in the CARICOM & OECS Caribbean through collaborative efforts at the regional level. It also sets out the next steps in these three fundamental areas and outlines the role for future research to support these regional initiatives.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document