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.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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