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Source: The post is based on the article “UNEP launches new worldwide digital platform to encourage sustainable marine tourism” published in Down To Earth on 16th September 2022.
What is the News?
The United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP), along with UK-based charity Reef-World Foundation has launched the Green Fins Hub.
What is Green Fins Hub?
The Green Fins Hub is the first-ever global marine tourism industry platform.
Purpose: The hub offers enhanced and global membership for participating dive and snorkel operators to conserve the marine environment.
Features: The platform will help diving and snorkelling operators worldwide to make simple, cost-efficient changes to their daily practices by utilizing tried and tested solutions.
– It would also help them keep track of their annual improvements and communicate with their communities and customers.
Significance: Coral reefs are home to at least 25% of marine life, are the mecca for marine-related tourism contributing up to 40% or more of the gross domestic product in some island nations.
– However, they are a most vulnerable ecosystem, especially to climate change with the difference between a global temperature rise of 1.5 or 20C being existential for reefs.
– Hence, increasing accessibility of best practice, knowledge and citizen science through the Green Fins Hub could be a game changer in ensuring a future for coral reefs and other fragile marine ecosystems.
What are Green Fins?
Green Fins is a proven conservation management approach – implemented internationally by The Reef-World Foundation and the UN Environment Programme – which leads to a measurable reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with marine tourism.
Aim: To protect coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines promoting sustainable diving and snorkelling.
– To provide the only internationally recognised environmental standards for marine tourism and its robust assessment system measures compliance.
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