By: Ariel Orr, EAC Legal & Policy Intern & Ashley Eagle-Gibbs
Every summer, we host incredible teams of students seeking to gain experience in environmental policy, law, advocacy, and education. During the pandemic, our internship program expanded, and we pivoted to host remote internships throughout the entire year.
We believe that providing these opportunities create lasting and meaningful impressions that help to foster the environmental stewards of the future.
This semester, we are fortunate to have hosted another excellent team of interns and wanted to share the experience of Ariel Orr, legal and policy intern, who had the opportunity to represent EAC before the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and at Ocean Climate Day.
Consistent with EAC’s past actions, in February, Ariel spoke before OPC to support endorsement of the Top Ten Recommended Actions to Address Plastic Pollution in California’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and funding for Marine Protected Area (MPA) long-term monitoring and data analysis.
Regarding plastic pollution, Ariel stated,
“We support the staff’s recommendation of these actions to address plastic pollution. EAC is concerned with the negative impacts that plastic pollution has on the environment and wildlife…. Endorsing these actions is a critical step forward in addressing a major environmental concern.”
At the meeting, OPC endorsed the 10 actions, which include encouraging changes to aquaculture and fishing gear, supporting local foodware ordinances, researching Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and microplastic monitoring.
Marin County continues to accept comments on its pending Reusable Foodware Ordinance. Reducing plastics in our environment (and ideally eliminating them) helps human and ecosystem health, while fighting the climate crisis.
Regarding MPA monitoring and research in preparation for the 2022 decadal review, Ariel stated,
“We recognize the need to collect data on coastal and marine resource use in and near California MPAs to inform management and enforcement.”
In April, Ariel continued her advocacy efforts at the national event Ocean Climate Lobby Day organized by the Center for the Blue Economy at Middlebury Institute. This event typically takes place at our nation’s capital, but this year it was virtual. The NorCal group was led by colleague, Michael Stocker of Ocean Conservation Research. Ariel had the chance to meet with Congressman Huffman’s staffer and share coastal NGO priorities alongside members of the Northern California Delegation. Huffman’s staff was quite receptive to key “asks” including support for the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act, transitioning away from fossil fuels, investing in coastal resiliency, moving away from hard coastal armoring, investing in living shorelines, supporting MPAs, and 30x30.
Our wonderful team of interns helps to advance EAC’s mission to protect and sustain the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of coastal Marin County. We are grateful for their efforts and look forward to working with them in the future as they embark on their careers.
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