The Exciting Possibilities of the Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act with Lora Snyder | Capitol Beach

September 7, 2021

Check out this interested new piece of legislation!

On The Capitol Beach, Derek Brockbank speaks with Lora Snyder, the Deputy Staff Director for the House Natural Resources Committee on the Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act (OBCSA). Introduced by Committee Chair Grijalva this summer, the OBCSA is an expansive bill that includes many titles related to coasts, oceans and the climate. It attempts to re-frame climate “victimhood” of the ocean, by proposing policies that allow ocean resources to help solve the climate crisis, including advancing blue carbon, supporting offshore wind (and other renewable) power, and even reducing emissions from the ocean transport sector. The bill also supports resilience and adaptation in the coastal and ocean zone, with policies to help fisheries impacted by climate change, support coastal ecosystem restoration, and provide $10 billion for coastal infrastructure projects that build community resilience. This far-reaching bill is intended to shift the climate conversation to include oceans, while advancing policies that can become law by being attached to must-pass legislation.

Show Transcription
This transcription was generated by a computer. Please excuse any errors.
Derek Brockbank

Derek Brockbank is Executive Director of Coastal States Organization (CSO), which represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. With two decades of experience in Washington DC on coastal adaptation policy and organizational development, Derek is connecting state coastal management programs with federal agencies and resources in order to address the greatest coastal challenges facing society. He previously served as executive director for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) where he led the strategic planning and outreach, government affairs, and development goals of the nation’s leading organization advocating for beach and coastal restoration. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.