In 1999, California made history with the Marine Life Protection Act, a groundbreaking law that created the nation’s first statewide network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These designated coastal zones safeguard California’s vibrant marine ecosystems, ensuring their beauty, abundance, and health for generations to come.
However, MPAs weren’t originally designed with climate change protections in mind. The regulations put in place were primarily focused on overfishing, pollution prevention, and habitat loss. As the climate crisis accelerates, MPAs face growing threats such as rising seas, ocean acidification, and shifting ecosystems.
But what if these coastal marvels weren’t just victims of the climate crisis, but part of the solution?
That’s the question we explored in partnership with the Marine Protected Area Collaborative Network through our new educational video. We spoke with experts in MPA management, climate science, and coastal ecology to uncover:
- How MPAs help our ocean thrive
- The impacts of climate change on California’s MPAs
- Solutions to protect our coast for future generations
A very special thank you to the Marine Protected Area Collaborative Network for funding this project and promoting free, accessible education on this important issue.
