| NRDC

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.

Matthew Dillon via Flickr; Bob Wick/BLM; Robert Bohrer/123RF

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.

Submit your public comment to help protect California's ocean ecosystems and other beloved natural spaces!

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CA's final 30x30 plan must be more ambitious to protect our ocean:

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Dear California Natural Resources Agency:

I support your plan to protect 30 percent of the state's waters and lands by 2030.  I'm writing to urge you to ensure that your final “30x30” plan is as strong as possible to protect our ocean environment, communities, and climate.

With your strong leadership, protecting 30 percent of the state's waters and lands will help:

* Fight the climate crisis and make us more climate resilient  
* Protect our food supply and our health  
* Save endangered species from extinction   
* Improve much-needed access to nature for communities of color and low-income communities  
* Restore Indigenous management of traditional lands and waters

However, the current 30x30 draft needs to do more to meaningfully protect the ocean waters off California’s beloved coast. Decades of science show that to conserve ocean ecosystems, the level of protection matters. For California to maintain global leadership in marine conservation for all people, the final plan must:

* Recognize the unique importance of highly and fully protected MPAs in conserving biodiversity  
* Describe a scientific framework the state will use to evaluate current protections and to identify new ones; science must underpin 30x30 decisions  
* Ensure decision-making processes are inclusive of all ocean users. California’s ocean users underpin the state’s $28 billion tourism and recreation economy, and should have a say in identifying and protecting new areas for conservation. It's crucial that the state work with California Native Tribes, scientists, and ocean and wildlife enthusiasts on the process of identifying and protecting new areas for conservation 
* Articulate a plan for sustained decision-making structures and funding for 30x30

It's very clear — we cannot stabilize the climate and protect public health without protecting nature. The ocean is front and center in our defense.

California has a chance to make a real difference for our environment and to be a national — and even global — leader in the 30x30 movement. Please do everything you can to help us protect our ocean and other natural places for all.

Thank you so much for your time.

Natural Resources Defense Council

California: Help Protect Our Ocean and Other Natural Places!

California: Help Protect Our Ocean and Other Natural Places!

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