I seek to foster behaviors that build trust and enable teams to exceed their expectations by successfully improving and sustaining organizational purpose, participation, team-building, and resilience in an atmosphere of service to others.
Mark Hoppen Ed.D., M.P.A., ICMA-CM (Life)
Climate Restoration Ambassador
Gig Harbor, Washington State, USA
My goal as a Climate Ambassador is to educate and prepare members of community groups for their individual and group climate restoration action and commitment, including an awareness of the need for climate justice.
I am an educator, a coach, a municipal administrator, and a long-time advocate for forests, green spaces, riverine environments, and water bodies, including Gig Harbor Bay, Puget Sound, and the Salish Sea. I contribute to The Grandparent’s Fund and encourage others to do so for the future of my two young grandsons, Ben and Eddie, and my children.
I’ve lived for seven decades in Gig Harbor, in Washington State, with my wife Marilyn for nearly five decades, growing up working for a family boat building company, now nonprofit 501(c)(3) Gig Harbor Boatshop.
I served as a high school teacher, coach, and middle and intermediate school administrator (17 years) and as a city administrator and manager (28 years), with side stints in public works, planning, and permitting as a lead administrator. I also served as a member of the Washington State Public Works Board, an executive director of a flood control district, a member of the SeaTac International Airport Advisory Roundtable (StART), on a post to the Washington State Interagency Committee for the Puget Sound Partnership, and as a temporary COO of Snohomish Health District.
For two years as an elected city council member, almost 15 years as City Administrator in Gig Harbor, six years as City Manager for the City of Normandy Park, and similar employment—30 years in span—I received compensation from six cities, two counties, the State of Washington, and Eddon Boat Company. (My father was Ed, his partner Don.) Payroll taxes in 54 years of vocation.
“Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge; it’s common sense.”
-President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), State of the Union address, 1984
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Or what he really said, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Who will I impact as a Climate Ambassador?
- Rotary Clubs in Gig Harbor and Puget Sound – Districts 5020, 5030, 5040
- Club members, friends, and family
- Environment Committee members (Rotary District 5020 Environment Committee and Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Environment Committee)
- ICMA Members (International City County Management Association)
- ESRAG members (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group)
- RF LEAD members (Rotary Fellowship of Leadership Education and Development)
What is Climate Restoration?
Published here with permission from the Foundation for Climate Restoration.
Beyond Silent Spring: Moving Forward with Eyes Open
In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring exposed the devastating ecological consequences of DDT, a chemical once considered a miracle solution. Her work not only revealed the dangers of a single toxin but also highlighted the broader risks of unchecked technological advancement.
The truth is, at the time, we barely considered the consequences at all. Post-war optimism and blind faith in science created a cultural environment where new technologies were rapidly embraced with little thought to their long-term impacts. Ecology was not yet a mainstream science, and the complex relationships within ecosystems—the risks of disrupting food chains, bioaccumulation, and slow, systemic harm—were poorly understood. The dominant mindset wasn’t “we know the risks but accept them,” but rather, “what could possibly go wrong?”
That mindset cost us dearly. But it also taught us an enduring lesson: don’t alter ecosystems blindly.
Now, as we face a planetary climate crisis, that lesson remains urgent. But it’s often misunderstood.
Some critics of climate restoration techniques like Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) invoke Silent Spring as a warning. They ask: “Are we repeating the same mistake? Are we intervening in the natural world before fully understanding the risks?”
But here’s the crucial difference:
Back then, we didn’t know there was a risk—now, after unintentionally geoengineering the climate for centuries, we do.
We are not blind. We are not unaware. The risks of OIF—ecological shifts, nutrient imbalances, unintended side effects—have been studied for decades. We don’t have all the answers, but we are asking the right questions. And that changes everything.
This is not about avoiding all risk. It’s about acknowledging risk, planning for it, and measuring what matters.
In science, we never fully understand anything—especially not complex systems like the ocean or the climate. But that can’t be an excuse for paralysis. Inaction is not neutral; it carries its own catastrophic risks. The collapse of ocean ecosystems, runaway warming, and acidification are not theoretical—they’re happening now.
So here’s the shift in mindset we need:
- From “Don’t act until you fully understand”
to
“Act with humility, transparency, and a commitment to learn.” - From “Let’s not take the risk”
to
“Let’s take informed, measured steps to avoid far greater risks.”
At the Climate Restoration Alliance, we’re advancing OIF projects with that philosophy. We monitor, we measure, we model. We secure permits. We consult communities and ecologists. We operate with openness and a bias for learning. Because we know: this isn’t Silent Spring. This is a moment of conscious responsibility.
We’re not flying blind—we’re navigating through crisis with our eyes open.
[image: The clearly visible green phytoplankton bloom during the 2018 Kilauea eruption, published on Gizmodo.com – Image: (USGS Coastguard)]
In 2018, something extraordinary happened off the coast of Hawaii.
As the Kīlauea volcano erupted, lava flowed into the Pacific Ocean—dramatically altering the surrounding environment. But what caught scientists by surprise wasn’t just the geological spectacle. It was a massive bloom of phytoplankton—microscopic marine plants—that suddenly exploded into view, so vast it was visible from space.
A natural experiment had just unfolded before our eyes.
How Lava Sparked a Bloom
When Kīlauea’s lava hit the ocean, it superheated the water and triggered deep ocean upwelling. This brought nitrate-rich water from the depths to the sunlit surface. Just like that, nutrients were made available in a part of the ocean where productivity is usually low.
Within days, satellite imagery showed a giant green plume of life—phytoplankton feeding on the nutrients, growing rapidly, and forming the base of the marine food web.
“This bloom is a powerful example of how ocean ecosystems respond to nutrient inputs,” said researchers from the University of Hawaii. “The event helped us understand how quickly phytoplankton can take advantage of favorable conditions.”
Source: Discover Wildlife article on the Kīlauea eruption
This Is Exactly What Ocean Iron Fertilization Aims to Do
Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) is a climate restoration technique that works similarly—by adding iron, a vital micronutrient, to parts of the ocean where it’s lacking. Like nitrate, iron is a limiting nutrient in many regions of the ocean.
The Kīlauea eruption shows what’s possible when nutrients suddenly become available:
-
Rapid carbon capture via photosynthesis
-
Explosive growth of ocean biomass
-
No harmful side effects observed
While the volcano added nitrates, OIF uses iron to stimulate blooms in High Nutrient, Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) zones—parts of the ocean rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, but poor in iron.
Nature’s Proof of Concept for Climate Restoration
The Kīlauea-induced bloom is more than an anomaly—it’s a natural demonstration of the power of ocean fertilization. And it reinforces key messages behind CRA’s work:
-
The ocean responds quickly to nutrient availability
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Biological carbon removal can occur on massive scales
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Restoring marine productivity can enhance life, not disrupt it
-
Strategic, science-based intervention is feasible and effective
Call to Action: Help Us Restore the Ocean—Responsibly
The Southern California MRV Project is CRA’s flagship initiative to develop the science, monitoring, and safeguards needed for responsible Ocean Iron Fertilization.
We’re learning from nature—and scaling its lessons with care.
👉 Support the project and help us accelerate a proven path to climate restoration.
Let’s restore our planet by working with nature—not against it.
In two days, climate restoration leaders from all over the world will gather in Dallas, Texas for the First Annual Climate Restoration Summit.
Taking place at the EarthX 2025 Congress of Conferences, this summit signifies a historic moment in time – the moment we started building the Climate Restoration Industry.
An industry is a group of businesses and organizations that produce, provide, or support a particular set of related goods, services, or technologies, typically serving a common market or purpose.
The Climate Restoration Industry is a group of businesses and organizations dedicated to developing, scaling, and deploying solutions that restore atmospheric CO₂ levels and other climate indicators to safe, pre-industrial levels.
Here is a message from Ilan Mandel, CEO of the Climate Restoration Alliance – recorded for the Summit:
Hi, I’m Ilan Mandel. I currently serve as Chairman and CEO of the Climate Restoration Alliance and the Grandparents Fund for Climate Restoration, working out of Israel.
In 2017, I met Peter Fiekowsky — and that meeting changed the course of my life. Peter had a bold vision: not just to slow global warming, but to restore a safe and healthy climate — like the one we inherited and the one future generations deserve. I partnered with Peter, we co-founded the Foundation for Climate Restoration, and since then, I’ve been working on the architecture — the system — that could actually make this vision a reality.
While most of the climate conversations focus on possible solutions, nearly all of them — except Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) — are thousands of times too expensive to scale. That’s why we’re focusing on building the infrastructure required for any real solution to scale and operate successfully.
Today, we heard from the ExOIS group, where scientists are exploring OIF solutions capable of removing CO₂ rapidly — at a cost that stakeholders like you and I can afford.
As those solutions evolve, the Climate Restoration Alliance and the Grandparents Fund are building the infrastructure needed to ensure their safe and rapid scale-up. This includes developing the atmospheric CO₂ measurement systems, funding pipelines, marketing strategies, and governance models.
Restoring the climate isn’t a single project. It’s a massive, global endeavor. And unfortunately, no government or international body has taken responsibility for it. Until that happens, we are working with funders to build what’s needed.
It takes: Science, Engineering, Governance, Funding, and of course, projects on the ground.
And it all needs to happen fast — in a coordinated, responsible way, worldwide, across regions and regulatory systems.
The good news is: people are already working on each of these components.
What’s missing is a shared structure — an architecture that connects it all. A roadmap that clearly informs every stakeholder about what’s happening, what’s needed, and what success looks like.
That’s what we’re building now: a Climate Restoration Industry, with clear pathways for collaboration, investment, and impact.
Not just another climate initiative — but a blueprint for working together. A blueprint for a bridge that can take us safely to the other side of this crisis.
We also need social license — broad public understanding, trust, and support for climate restoration solutions. That’s why last year, we launched the Climate Restoration Ambassador Program. Our Ambassadors include faith leaders, indigenous leaders, industry leaders, and Ambassadors to service organizations like Rotary.
This Climate Restoration Summit is a game-changing moment — a powerful demonstration of what’s possible when we all come together with a shared purpose.
Thank you for being here and for stepping into this historic opportunity.
We’ve been given a narrow window. But we know what to do. Nature has done it before — and we can do it too, if we commit to it. If we align our efforts — If we fund and build the architecture — We can create a future where the climate is once again safe, stable, and life-giving.
If you’re a donor or investor who wants to help build the system that will restore the climate, I invite you to connect with me. Together, we can accelerate the path forward.
ilan@ClimateRestorationAlliance.org
+1(310)4000-265
Before I say goodbye, here is a short message from Future Generations:
We are the Future Generations.
We do not vote, so governments don’t prioritize us.
We do not pay taxes, so we are not in the budget.
We do not buy products, so corporations ignore us.
But you — our parents, our grandparents, our aunts and uncles — you have the power now.
You are writing the story we will be born into.
Will it be a world of chaos and collapse? Or one of restoration, beauty, and life?
We ask you to be bold.
To stand up for us when no one else will.
To make the choices today that will give us a tomorrow.
Join the Climate Restoration Alliance. Sign the Climate Restoration Resolution.
Speak for us. Until we can speak for ourselves.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
Let’s restore the climate, ensure a livable planet for our children, and usher in a new era where humanity can flourish for millennia to come.
Introduction: The Question of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
As Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) gains attention as a climate restoration strategy, one common concern is whether stimulating phytoplankton growth could unintentionally trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs)—toxic or oxygen-depleting overgrowths that can devastate marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
But the relationship between OIF and HABs is complex—and increasingly hopeful. Not only does research suggest that OIF is unlikely to cause HABs, it may actually help suppress them in certain environments.
1. What Are Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)?
HABs occur when certain algae—like dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria, or haptophytes—grow excessively, often releasing toxins or depleting oxygen when they die off. They can:
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Kill fish and marine mammals
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Contaminate seafood with dangerous toxins
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Disrupt tourism, aquaculture, and coastal economies
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Threaten human health via airborne or waterborne exposure
HABs are typically driven by excess nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), warmer waters, and stagnant ocean conditions, often in coastal zones impacted by agriculture or sewage runoff.
2. How OIF Works Differently
Ocean Iron Fertilization adds small amounts of iron to nutrient-rich but iron-poor areas of the open ocean—known as High Nutrient, Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) regions. This stimulates the growth of phytoplankton, which remove CO₂ through photosynthesis and sink to the deep ocean.
Importantly:
-
OIF is conducted far offshore, not near coastal HAB hotspots
-
It uses iron, not nitrogen or phosphorus (the primary drivers of HABs)
-
It tends to favor the growth of diatoms, which are not typically harmful⁴
3. Scientific Evidence: Has OIF Caused HABs?
Across more than a dozen controlled OIF experiments globally, there has been no documented increase in HABs as a result of iron addition. Research has shown:
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Short-lived, diverse blooms dominated by non-toxic phytoplankton
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Rapid sinking of organic material, reducing the chance of persistent surface blooms⁵
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No significant increase in low-oxygen zones or marine toxins following trials⁶
4. Could OIF Actually Prevent HABs?
Yes—under certain conditions, OIF may help reduce the occurrence or severity of harmful algal blooms. Here’s how:
-
Outcompeting HAB-forming species: OIF stimulates diatoms, which can consume available nutrients and occupy space before harmful species take hold.
-
Altering nutrient ratios: Adding iron without nitrogen or phosphorus can shift nutrient balances in ways that disadvantage toxin-producing algae.
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Accelerating bloom turnover: Fast-sinking diatom blooms reduce water column residence time, limiting conditions that favor HABs.
-
Increasing biodiversity: More varied phytoplankton communities may reduce the dominance of any single harmful species.
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Enhancing food web stability: Boosting zooplankton and small fish may increase grazing pressure on phytoplankton, helping control bloom size.
5. Risk Management and Monitoring
While current evidence shows low risk, responsible deployment still requires:
-
Site-specific modeling and ecological assessment
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Use of MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) systems to monitor impacts
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Adaptive management to respond to changes in plankton community structure
Conclusion: Manageable Risk, Meaningful Opportunity
The idea that OIF could trigger harmful algal blooms is a reasonable concern—but it isn’t supported by evidence from past experiments. In fact, OIF may help rebalance marine ecosystems, support biodiversity, and even reduce the risk of harmful blooms in some ocean regions.
Like all powerful tools, OIF must be used responsibly. But with proper science and oversight, it can become part of a climate restoration strategy that helps heal—not harm—our oceans.
Call to Action: Support Smart, Safe OIF
The Southern California MRV Project is pioneering the science and monitoring systems that make climate-safe OIF possible. Help ensure future deployments protect ecosystems and support marine resilience.
👉 Support the project today and be part of the next chapter in ocean healing.
Sources
-
Anderson, D.M. et al. (2002). Harmful algal blooms and eutrophication: Nutrient sources, composition, and consequences. Estuaries, 25(4), 704–726.
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Glibert, P.M. (2020). Harmful algal blooms in a changing world: A perspective on HAB science, policy, and communication. Harmful Algae, 91, 101731.
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Boyd, P.W. et al. (2007). Mesoscale iron enrichment experiments 1993–2005: Synthesis and future directions. Science, 315(5812), 612–617.
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Charette, M.A., & Buesseler, K.O. (2000). Does iron fertilization lead to harmful algal blooms? Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin, 9(3), 9–10.
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Smetacek, V. et al. (2012). Deep carbon export from a Southern Ocean iron-fertilized diatom bloom. Nature, 487, 313–319.
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Strong, A.L. et al. (2009). Ocean fertilization: time to move on. Nature, 461, 347–348.
Introduction: Fishing, Fuel, and Climate
The global fishing industry is an essential provider of food and livelihoods—but it’s also a significant consumer of fossil fuels. Trawlers, longliners, and other fishing vessels travel long distances and operate for extended periods, especially as fish stocks decline or migrate due to warming oceans and habitat loss.
What if we could bring the fish closer to shore?
This is one of the potential co-benefits of Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF). By increasing fish productivity in targeted zones near ports and coasts, OIF could reduce the energy footprint of the fishing industry while simultaneously restoring the climate.
1. Fuel Use in the Fishing Industry
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The global fishing fleet consumes 30–50 billion liters of fuel per year, contributing to ~0.6% of global CO₂ emissions¹.
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Fuel costs account for 30–50% of operational expenses for many commercial fishers².
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As fish stocks move further offshore or into deeper waters due to ecosystem stress, fuel use per ton of fish caught increases³.
2. How OIF Changes the Distribution of Fish
Ocean Iron Fertilization enhances phytoplankton growth—the base of the marine food web. With more phytoplankton in specific regions, fish stocks are likely to:
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Concentrate in areas of enhanced productivity, reducing the distance required for fishing.
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Stay closer to nutrient-rich zones, especially if those zones are intentionally located near ports or Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
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Increase in abundance, leading to higher catch per unit effort (CPUE).
If fish are more densely distributed closer to shore, fishing fleets may reduce both travel distance and search time, leading to meaningful fuel savings.
3. Estimating the Impact at Full Scale
Assume full-scale OIF deployment (60 Gt CO₂ removal/year) leads to:
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A 33–67% increase in global fish biomass (see previous analysis).
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A portion of this increase occurs within 500 nautical miles of major fishing ports.
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An average reduction of 15–30% in vessel operating range or time-at-sea due to improved proximity and catch rates.
Even a 10–20% reduction in fuel use across the industry could mean:
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3–10 billion liters of fuel saved annually
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8–25 million tons of CO₂ emissions avoided per year⁴
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Lower costs for fishers and reduced environmental impact from marine diesel use
4. Broader Benefits
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Improved profitability for fishers and cooperatives
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Lower fish prices due to reduced overhead costs
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Reduced need for high-seas fishing, helping address overfishing and IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) practices
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Climate co-benefits, both through carbon sequestration and emissions reductions
Conclusion: A Leaner, Cleaner Fishing Industry
Ocean Iron Fertilization isn’t just about restoring the climate—it could also reshape the economics of global fishing. By making fish more abundant and accessible, OIF may reduce the fishing industry’s reliance on fossil fuels, improve operational efficiency, and promote a more sustainable seafood system.
Call to Action: Fuel Change by Supporting OIF
The Southern California MRV Project is a key step toward validating the science and monitoring tools that will make OIF viable at scale.
👉 Support the project today and help fuel a cleaner, more sustainable fishing future.
Sources
-
Tyedmers, P., et al. (2005). Fueling global fishing fleets. Ambio, 34(8), 635–638.
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FAO (2022). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture.
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Sumaila, U.R., et al. (2020). Declining fish populations and the energy cost of fishing. Nature Sustainability, 3, 983–991.
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IPCC (2021). Sixth Assessment Report: Mitigation of Climate Change.
Introduction: Connecting Ocean Productivity to Protein Affordability
In our previous discussion on climate restoration and hunger, we explored how Ocean Iron Fertilization (OIF) could significantly boost global fish populations. This article delves into the potential economic ripple effects of large-scale OIF deployment—specifically, how increasing fish biomass might influence global protein prices.
If OIF is deployed at full scale—removing 60 gigatons (Gt) of CO₂ per year—the increase in ocean productivity could shift global protein supply, improve affordability, and enhance food security. Here’s how.
1. The Link Between Fish Supply and Protein Prices
Fish serves as a crucial source of high-quality protein worldwide, particularly in developing nations. Key statistics include:
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Global Fish Production: Approximately 179 million tons annually, encompassing both wild-caught and aquaculture sources¹
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Protein Contribution: Fish accounts for about 17% of global animal protein intake, with figures exceeding 50% in certain coastal and island regions²
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Rising Demand: Global protein demand is projected to double by 2050³
An increase in fish supply could alleviate pressure on other protein sources, potentially leading to more stable and affordable protein prices globally.
2. Projected Supply Increase from Full-Scale OIF
Implementing OIF at a scale capable of removing 60 gigatons of CO₂ per year could yield substantial increases in marine biomass. Based on established ecological models:
-
Phytoplankton Growth: Removing 60 Gt of CO₂ could generate approximately 120 Gt of phytoplankton biomass, given the 2:1 conversion ratio⁴
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Trophic Transfers: Through successive 10% energy transfer efficiencies⁵:
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10% of phytoplankton becomes zooplankton = ~12 Gt zooplankton
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10% of zooplankton becomes small fish = ~1.2 Gt small fish
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10% of small fish becomes large fish = ~0.12 Gt large fish (120 million tons)
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This represents a 67% increase over current global fish production levels¹
Even if only half is harvested sustainably, that’s still a 33% increase in edible fish—an unprecedented boost in affordable, nutritious protein.
3. Potential Impact on Protein Prices
Fish prices fall as supply grows:
-
The price elasticity of demand for fish is approximately -0.5, meaning a 1% increase in supply may lead to a 0.5% decrease in price⁶
-
A 33–67% increase in fish supply could potentially result in a 15–30% global drop in fish prices, assuming other market factors remain constant
Cross-market protein effects:
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Cheaper fish could displace demand for more expensive proteins like beef and poultry
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The result: broader affordability of protein, especially in regions with limited dietary options
4. Broader Implications
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Improved food security in developing regions
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Reduced pressure on terrestrial livestock systems
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Healthier diets supported by access to lean, ocean-based protein
Conclusion: The Economic Promise of OIF
If Ocean Iron Fertilization reaches full scale (60 Gt CO₂/year), the resulting boost in fish biomass could lower fish prices by 15–30%, while relieving pressure on other protein sources.
Restoring the climate could also make protein more accessible—and affordable—for billions.
Call to Action: Support the Southern California MRV Project
To realize the potential benefits of OIF, it’s essential to advance our understanding and monitoring capabilities. The Southern California MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) Project aims to enhance the tools necessary for effective OIF implementation. Your support can drive this critical research forward.
👉 Contribute today and be part of the movement toward a sustainable, food-secure future.
Sources
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FAO (2022). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. https://www.fao.org
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FAO (2020). The Role of Aquatic Foods in Sustainable Healthy Diets
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World Economic Forum (2019). Meat: The Future Series – Alternative Proteins.
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Martin, J.H., Gordon, R.M., & Fitzwater, S.E. (1991). Iron deficiency limits phytoplankton growth in the north-east Pacific subarctic. Nature, 350, 227–229.
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Pauly, D., & Christensen, V. (1995). Primary production required to sustain global fisheries. Nature, 374, 255–257.
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Asche, F., Bellemare, M.F., Roheim, C., Smith, M.D., & Tveteras, S. (2015). Fair Enough? Food Security and the International Trade of Seafood. World Development, 67, 151–160.
I have chosen to endorse the Rotary District 7150 Climate Restoration Resolution thereby joining with the Climate Restoration Alliance in making Climate Restoration be an “Idea Whose Time Has Come”
Individuals: Please fill the form below.
Organizations: Please follow these steps:
- Create a copy of the Climate Restoration Resolution Template.
- Edit and adapt it to your organization’s language and mission.
- Sign it, scan it, and upload the file using this form, by uploading the signed resolution you are giving us permission to post your organization name, logo, and resolution on our website.