The industry's recognized authority for design, engineering and application of equipment and services in the global ocean community
Issue link: http://sea-technology.epubxp.com/i/748191
www.sea-technology.com November 2016 / st 9 soundings )) Historic Global Climate Agreement Goes into Effect. The Paris Agreement, which calls on nations to keep global warming significantly below 2° C (3.6° F), will enter into force the first week of November, now that 70 countries, representing 56.68 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified it. Participating countries, including the U.S., have submitted writ- ten pledges to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to cleaner energy sources and promoting energy efficiency. However, EESI's Executive Director Carol Werner warns, "The Paris Agreement will work only if the world's nations make it work. Only peer pressure and a sense of responsibility can make the Paris Agreement a success." )) New Deputy Hydrographer of US Navy. Stanley B. Harvey has assumed responsibilities as the deputy Hydrographer of the U.S. Navy on the Commander Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) staff. Hydrography is a vital aspect of the command's mission and contributes to maritime safety. Harvey, the command's former assistant chief of staff for strategic plans and policy, has an extensive background in hydrographic survey programs, ocean policy and international partnerships and agreements. In his new position he will represent the U.S. Navy's hydrographic interests by promoting international partnerships and conducting liaison with the International Hydrographic Board and directors of numerous hydrographic offices. )) Our Ocean Conference Advances Marine Conservation, Protection. Participants in the third Our Ocean conference, held in September in Washington, D.C., announced more than 136 new initiatives on marine conservation and protection valued at more than $5.24 billion. To date, the three Our Ocean conferences have generated commitments valued at more than $9.2 billion to protect the ocean. The latest commitments focus on marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution and climate-related impacts on the ocean. Projects include: the Wildlife Conservation Society, in partnership with the Waitt Foundation and Blue Moon fund, committing a minimum of $15 million to create the WCS Marine Protected Area (MPA) Fund to protect 10 percent of the ocean by 2020; the Ellen MacArthur Foundation committing $10 million to a New Plastics Economy initiative to rethink and redesign plastic packaging and use; and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust's marine-oriented grants totaling $6 million for coastal community-based conservation and management. Future Our Ocean Conferences include one in 2017 hosted by the European Union in Malta, in 2018 in Indonesia and in 2019 in Norway. )) Obama Creates First US Atlantic Marine Monument. U.S. President Barack Obama created the first U.S. Atlantic Ocean marine monument in September, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, The New York Times reported. It lies in an area where ocean temperatures are projected to warm faster than the global average and is home to endangered whales and turtles and deep-sea coral. This designation bans oil and gas exploration and drilling and most com- mercial fishing in the monument. Lobster and red crab fisheries will be allowed to continue operating in the monument for seven years. The designation came two weeks after Obama expanded an ocean monument in the Pacific surrounding the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, creating the world's largest marine protected area. )) Global Sub Market to Increase to $36.3 Billion by 2026. "The Global Submarine Market 2016-2026" new report states that the demand for military submarines will be driven by the need to replace aging submarines, and disputes over maritime borders and trade routes. In addition to a nuclear deterrent role, submarines play roles in surveillance and reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and patrolling and securing maritime borders and trade routes. The growing importance of subma- rines in these roles is driving the demand for submarines and related MRO services in countries with substantial maritime borders by compelling them to invest heavily in procurement, mid-life upgrades and MRO submarine programs. The global submarine market is worth $22.8 billion in 2016 and is expected to increase to $36.3 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 4.74 percent. The market is expected to be dominated by North America, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe. The SSN segment will account for 38.3 percent of the global submarine market; SSK and SSBN segments will account for 35.3 percent and 26.4 percent, respectively. )) Continuing Thaw of US-Cuba Scientific Relations. At the Geological Society of America meeting in Denver, researchers at the "Geologic Evolution of Cuba" session attended one of the few official gatherings of Cuban and American geologists since the U.S. embargo of Cuba began in 1960, reported Eos. The session offered geologists the opportunity to exchange ideas and build collaborations for the future. Cuba offers researchers one of the world's most remarkable examples of plate tectonics in action. Almost every important geological theory for explaining the origins and evolution of the planet has reportedly been tested in Cuba, but those investigations took place in isolation from many tectonics experts in North America. The tectonic history of the region dictates the location of ore deposits and potential hazards, and an improved theory could identify future earthquake threats and mineral deposits. Home to pristine coral reefs and karst, Cuba's largely undeveloped landscape also provides a good platform for studying hurricanes and climate change. The American Association for the Advancement of Sci- ence has already taken steps to advance scientific cooperation, and the U.S. National Science Foundation is now accepting proposals for work in Cuba, which must detail how the research aligns with U.S. foreign policy. ST