Invests $50
million in Marine Protected Areas in the Tropical
Pacific
LISBON,
Portugal, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bezos
Earth Fund today announced its first investments dedicated
explicitly to marine protection at the United Nations Ocean
Conference, totaling $50 million in
new grants. These grants further its commitment to the 30x30
initiative to protect 30% of the planet's land and sea by 2030.
Currently, only 7.93% of the ocean is zoned as marine protected
areas.
The Bezos Earth Fund will provide grants totaling $30 million to support organizations working in
Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama in strengthening the Eastern Tropical
Marine Corridor. By creating a network of marine protected areas
covering more than 500,000-square-kilometers (193,000-square-miles)
and a transboundary biosphere reserve, the four countries'
biological hotspots will be connected and protected. These grants
are provided alongside those of other members of the Connect to
Protect Eastern Tropical Pacific Coalition. The coalition will work
alongside governments, local communities, non-government
organizations, and scientists to help establish a regional
governance structure, design, and implement marine protected areas
and the biosphere reserve, and secure long-term sustainable
financing.
"The ocean is our planet's life support system and a major
carbon sink," said Dr. Andrew Steer,
president and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund. "Investing in the ocean
can be a powerful solution to many major challenges. It can protect
vital marine ecosystems, provide jobs, help local communities,
improve food security, and address climate change. These
commitments are the first of many the Bezos Earth Fund will make to
support marine protection in this decisive
decade."
The Earth Fund's $20 million grant
to the National Geographic Society's Pristine Seas will further
advance the goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. With this
support, the Pristine Seas team will explore, document, and conduct
research in the central and western Pacific Ocean over the next
five years. This region contains the highest marine biodiversity on
the planet, most of which is unprotected from extractive
activities.
"It is an honor to receive this grant. It provides us with an
exciting opportunity to work with local partners to accelerate,
scale, and finance permanent ocean protection," said Dr.
Enric Sala, National Geographic
Explorer in Residence and founder of Pristine Seas. "This grant
allows Pristine Seas to continue to provide countries and local
communities with the assistance and support they need to create
marine-protected areas and achieve their ocean conservation and
economic goals."
About the Bezos Earth
Fund
The Bezos Earth Fund is Jeff Bezos' $10 billion commitment to
fund scientists, activists, NGOs, and other actors who will drive
climate and nature solutions. By allocating funds creatively,
wisely, and boldly, the Bezos Earth Fund has the potential for
transformative influence in this decisive decade. Funds will be
fully allocated by 2030—the date the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals must be achieved.
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SOURCE Bezos Earth Fund