GPA Blue Diamonds - Oceans and Coasts

Blue Diamonds—Oceans and Coasts is a newsletter to raise awareness among stakeholders of issues and activities relating to the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA). The Secretariat for GPA is hosted by the UNEP Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems Branch of the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) together with the Marine Ecosystems Unit and the Regional Seas Programme. Stakeholder Forum edits and produces Blue Diamonds.

New issue - Blue Diamonds Newsletter - Mainstreaming issue

The first 2011 issue focuses on nutrient management - The Nutrient Challenge

The 2010 July issue focuses on wastewater management;

July 2010 Blue Diamonds July 2010

The 2010 March issue focuses on resilience to climate change.

March 2010 Blue Diamonds March 2010
Jan-March 2009
Nov-Dec 2008
Jul-Sept 2008

Why Blue Diamond?

The reference to a BLUE DIAMOND is a recognition that the marine and coastal environment has significant ‘value’ and is an asset which if invested in will return or repay dividends over time:

• The Diamond relates to the marine and coastal environment as one which produces wealth in terms of jobs, trade, livelihoods and ecosystem services like water recycling and shoreline protection;
• A diamond is the strongest form of carbon: Key coastal habitats such as mangrove forests, salt marshes, coral reefs and seagrass meadows provide an important and valuable sink capacity. According to UNEPs Blue Carbon Report, the improved management and restoration of the oceans blue carbon sinks would result in preventing an annual loss of approximately 10 % of emission reductions we currently need. A diamonds strength also represent ‘resilience’ which is crucial for coastal communities to mitigate against the negative effects of climate change;
• A diamond also signifies ‘rarity’: the habitats above are being lost four times faster than our rainforests and the rate of loss is accelerating;
• A diamond has many sides i.e. it is ‘multifaceted’: This is because the marine and coastal environment is often the place where many interests meet, some interests related to land, some related to the sea. These ‘interests’ can be communities, NGOs, industry and services as well as local and national government;
• A diamond has very strong atomic bonds: This represents strong bonds through cooperation and working together for those different interest goups and stakeholder that operate at the land-ocean interface. This could be developing bonds at the local, national, regional or international levels. A strong interlocking network of interest groups can significantly contribute to better management to the benefit of all stakeholders;
• Finally, a diamond has great beauty and is valued by all. The purity or clarity of the diamond increases its value.