UNE professor's research on sustainable global economies published in Nature

Marcia Moreno-Báez, Ph.D., visiting assistant teaching professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs, is part of a team of authors whose research on the feasibility of achieving a sustainable, global “blue economy” was recently published in the journal Nature.

A blue economy is presented as an alternative economic model that provides prosperity for all within the ecological limits of the planet. It refers, simply, to the range of economic uses of ocean and coastal resources, including shipping, tourism, aquaculture, and others.

The study, “Enabling conditions for an equitable and sustainable blue economy,” identifies the areas of investments and research across “enabling conditions” necessary to develop available ocean resources in a manner consistent with a blue economy that is socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable.

The publication pinpoints areas of investments and research for five global regions to achieve a blue economy. These enabling conditions include corruption, economic and group equity, gender equality, human rights, biodiversity, habitat, water quality, infrastructure, investment and national stability.

The researchers concluded that the future of an equitable and sustainable global ocean, or blue economy, depends on more than the resources available for technological advancement and industry expansion. Through their analysis, the authors found that socioeconomic and governance conditions such as national stability, corruption, and human rights greatly affect regional ability to achieve a blue economy.

“This is important in a global context because, when people talk about the future of the ocean economy, most of the time the attention is focused on the natural resources themselves,” said Moreno-Báez, a professor of geographic information systems. “However, the most attention should be placed on answering the question: “How we are going to make sure that we manage those resources in ways that actually benefit local communities?”

The study’s results suggest that policymakers must engage researchers and stakeholders to promote evidence-based, collaborative planning that ensures all sectors are chosen carefully, that local benefits are prioritized, and that the blue economy delivers on its social, environmental and economic goals.

“Otherwise, we are back to business-as-usual, where only a few will benefit from ocean resources,” Moreno-Báez added. “We hope that these results will support a more inclusive conversation with all communities who heavily depend on coastal and ocean resources.”