Earth Day: A Reminder of Our Important Role in Mitigating Climate Change
This post was written by GSA President George Chamberlain in honor of Earth Day and Earth Month.
and the environment in which they operate.
As we reflect on the passage of Earth Day on 22 April, we applaud the galvanizing efforts of climate-change activists like Greta Thunberg, who’s PBS documentary “Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World”, reminds us of the enormity and urgency of the challenge. We also take heart at the commitments being made by governments. At a virtual White House climate summit on Earth Day, US President Joe Biden announced an ambitious commitment to curb US greenhouse-gas emissions to 50% of 2005 levels by 2030. The European Union, Japan, and other governments are also making strong commitments. Our collective goal is to reach full decarbonization by mid-century
Within the seafood sector, strong climate change commitments are also being made by retailers, food service companies, and producers. Within our organization, we are developing a new category of standards, called Vanguard, to deal with these leading-edge issues. Expert technical committees have been formed, and standards are expected to be released by early 2022.
The Vanguard Climate Action standard will address processes for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through on-farm energy efficiency, feed ingredient selection, and circular economy gains. The RAS Vanguard standard will address water use efficiency, effluent water quality, energy use, animal welfare, and circular economies. Other Vanguard standards are being developed for Sustainable Ingredients, Electronic Traceability, Raised without Antibiotics, and Enhanced Animal Welfare.”
We are also working with farms and fishing vessels to recognize climate friendly systems. For example, in Bangladesh, we’re participating in a World Bank project to assist poor small-holder farmers with production and marketing of large, naturally pigmented black tiger shrimp which are produced at low density with very low carbon emissions.
Earth Day is a reminder that each of us has an important role to play in mitigating climate change. Let’s work together to transform seafood systems and society to become more regenerative with processes that restore and renew, rather than impact.
