The ocean is under an incredible amount of stress. Decades of extraction, pollution, and industrial use of CA's ocean waters, combined with climate change impacts, have depleted ocean ecosystems and fueled the biodiversity crisis.
The ocean waters off California's beloved coast are biodiversity hotspots and home to whales, sea turtles, and sea otters. These waters are critical to our fight against climate change. They also generate prosperity, including providing over 441,000 tourism and recreation jobs. Tens of millions of Californians visit the ocean at least once a year to recreate.
However, our ocean is under an incredible amount of stress. Sadly, decades of extraction, pollution, and industrial use of CA's ocean waters, combined with the impacts of climate change, are fueling the biodiversity crisis.
The need for action is URGENT. The good news is that in 2020 Governor Newsom committed to protecting 30 percent of the state's waters and lands by 2030.
California’s Natural Resources Agency is finalizing its plan for how state leaders are going to meet this critical “30x30” conservation goal. NRDC is working to ensure that the final plan leads to the ambitious protections we need to conserve the ocean.
Help prevent mass wildlife extinctions, fight climate change, and ensure that ALL Californians — no matter their economic status, race, or ethnicity — have access to the natural world.
California Natural Resources Agency
CA's final 30x30 plan must be more ambitious to protect our ocean: