PROJECTS
Project Zero has set out to secure a global network of ocean sanctuaries that will provide resilience to the devastating effects of climate change. Stretching from East Antarctica to the Bering Strait, and mapped out by the world's leading marine scientists, this global network of projects will be able to restore our ocean’s health, and create a sustainable future for life on Earth.
It is estimated that 93% of the earth's CO2 is stored or cycled through the oceans - in fact, the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate of one Hiroshima bomb every single second, every single day, every single year. We need to restore the ocean to health to save our planet.
Ocean sanctuaries are places that allow the ocean to regenerate, mitigating the effects of climate change and helping the ocean regain its power. Fishes and invertebrates grow larger and produce many more young ones in ocean sanctuaries - fish that swim off into other areas of the ocean, securing a global food source that over a billion people rely on daily.
Like national parks in the water, each project in this global network is a place where the ocean can regenerate – and where no one can drill, mine, fish or pollute – a place where the ocean can return to its natural state as an optimally performing, oxygen-producing and carbon dioxide absorbing powerhouse.
Join us on a journey to harness the power of the ocean
GLOBAL NETWORK OF OCEAN SANCTUARIES
The ocean is critically under-protected. Science has determined that we need to secure 30% of the ocean. Right now about 3% is protected.
Project Zero works all over the world to secure ocean protection. Each project is a pearl in the global strand, each with its own unique characteristics, management plan and team on the ground; each helps the ocean store carbon dioxide and make oxygen, each helps the ocean regain its power.
Creating a protected area in the ocean requires much of the same process and funding as their land-based counterparts. Imagine Yellowstone with no management plan or budget. Ocean-based protected areas require similar plans and budgets to make sure that they are not just protected on paper, but secured, functional projects. But it’s a journey to secure each pearl in the strand. Below is a snapshot of some of the places where efforts are currently underway to ensure their protection. Each area has its own stakeholders and management strategy with whom we are working to provide long-term sustainability.
