22. 11. 2023 Jemma Sargeant

What’s happened on our blue planet since COP27?

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Extreme weather events and temperature records have made headlines more frequently in 2023 than ever.

The transition into an El Niño climate pattern (explained here) compounded by worsening impacts of climate change have resulted in an unstable year of weather patterns.

This is a trend which is set to intensify in the coming years.

The more often these events happen, the less headline-worthy they are and instead they simply become part of the norm. As the world turns its attention to climate change at COP28, we must recognise weather events as part of the larger-scale changes that are happening all around us, right now.

It’s also important to celebrate the key breakthroughs for Ocean-action in 2023 and use these as a foundation to expand our future ambition at COP28 and beyond.

The more often extreme weather events happen, the less headline-worthy they are and instead they simply become part of the norm.

Timeline of extreme weather events and Ocean wins that have made headlines in 2023:

Our Ocean regulates global climate and is inextricably linked to these extreme weather events.

How the Ocean is linked to temperature records broken:

Over the course of 2023, we saw the warmest Northern Hemisphere summer on record and the hottest September ever recorded (average global temperature reached +0.66°C and +0.93°C warmer than the 1991-2020 baseline respectively).

Unsurprisingly, since the Ocean absorbs 90% of the excess heat associated with climate change, these broken temperature records were not limited to land.

The highest ever Ocean surface temperature was recorded in August 2023, as widespread marine heatwaves spread across the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Gulf of Mexico.

This unprecedented heat stress caused a severe coral bleaching event in the Caribbean, during which the highest warning level alerted to significant coral mortality

September 2023 also saw the lowest mean winter sea ice extent ever observed in the Antarctic, with maximum coverage a shocking 1.03 million km² below the previous record low.

Scientists fear that this could mark the beginning of a long-term declining trend.

Graph of Antarctic Sea Ice Extent in 2023 shared by Ocean Generation.

As greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere, our Ocean continues to warm.

Warmer water absorbs less carbon dioxide, and the Ocean’s ability to act as a buffer and protect us against rapid temperature change slows.

How the Ocean links to storms and flooding events:

Weather systems are supercharged by our warming Ocean, as warmer water supplies more moisture and thermal energy to the atmosphere.

This process drives intensified rainfall and more powerful storm and flooding events.

For instance, Cyclone Freddy made landfall multiple times across Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar in February 2023, killing more than 1,000 people and displacing millions.

This was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded (34 days long), and also broke the record for the most accumulated energy based on wind strength measurements.

You’ve probably also heard of a phenomenon called ‘El Niño’ which has been linked to many extreme weather events this year.

The Ocean absorbs 90% of the excess heat associated with climate change. Image of a dessert and the Ocean, showing how the Ocean is connect to everything on Earth.

What is the El Niño phenomenon?

El Niño occurs due to the periodical weakening of trade winds in the Pacific Ocean. This pushes warm surface water towards the west coast of the Americas and drives changes in wind and weather patterns across the globe.

The surprising impact of wildfires on our Ocean:

Wildfire events are growing in frequency and intensity across the globe, partly driven by rising temperatures, strong winds and drier conditions.

In a surprising discovery, severe Australian wildfires in 2019-2020 were found to cause abnormal algal blooms in the Southern Ocean, thousands of miles downwind of the flames.

It is believed that aerosols from the fire, which contain high levels of iron, phosphorous and other minerals, were transported downwind into the Southern Ocean. These minerals, which are usually in low supply in this region, acted as a fertiliser and caused abnormal algal bloom events.

In a surprising discovery, severe Australian wildfires (2019-2020) caused abnormal algal blooms in the Southern Ocean. Image of wildfires and Ocean corals, showing how the Ocean is connected to everything.

Artificial fertilisation events can disrupt natural nutrient cycling and marine photosynthesis patterns in the Ocean.

Further clues of these widespread impacts were seen in 2023. Huge wildfires in Canada burned all summer long, releasing persistent aerosol pollution over the Atlantic Ocean. Evidence of this was seen in the skies over parts of the UK in September, where incoming smoke diluted the sunshine, causing the sun to appear lilac in colour.

Only time will tell the impacts of this year’s events, but it’s clear that wildfires can have far-reaching consequences on underwater ecosystems.

Ocean wins giving us hope for the future.

2023 has been a monumental year for Ocean wins.

This year, we celebrated the agreement of the landmark High Seas Treaty, improved single-use plastic regulations, and the decision to pause deep sea mining among others. This is a sign of the ever-growing Ocean-recognition in local, regional, and global decision making.

Whale tail breaking out of the Ocean. 2023 was a momentous year for Ocean wins. Ocean Generation is sharing the Ocean wins that happened in 2023 and a timeline of other extreme weather events.

Each Ocean win moves us one step closer to effective Ocean-action, and it does not stop here. At COP28, we need to see continued momentum to protect and safeguard our Ocean into 2024 and beyond.

Stay up to date with COP28:

We’re sharing bite-sized COP updates, commitments, and Ocean wins on your favourite social platform.

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Jemma Sargeant

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

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21. 11. 2023 Jemma Sargeant

The Global Stocktake: Translated

Three diverse woem with the blue sky behind them.

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What is the Global Stocktake and what has it told us about the progress we’re making in the face of climate change?

The Global Stocktake is the first comprehensive assessment of global progress made on climate change since the adoption of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2015.

Essentially, it is a global inventory of all-things climate change: What progress has been made? What areas need more focus? Are we on track to meet our climate goals? (Spoiler alert…we are not).

What is the global stocktake? The Global Stocktake is the 1st comprehensive assessment
of global progress made on climate change since the adoption
of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2015. Shared by Ocean Generation.

In this critical decade for climate action, assessing collective progress towards climate goals helps us to identify key gaps, holds us accountable to our commitments, and allows us to work together to agree on solutions.

The Global Stocktake provides an opportunity for leaders to course correct by ramping up global ambition and avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis.

The Global Stocktake consists of three phases:

Data collection phase:

Culmination of all available information across all thematic areas (including coastal zones, terrestrial and marine ecosystem services, food, water, and energy use).

Technical phase:

Evaluation of information to produce insights and summary reports, written by a range of stakeholders. The findings were culminated in a synthesis report.

Political phase:

Negotiations, policy changes and decisions based on synthesis report findings.

This phase will take place during COP28 and is critical to determine how countries will respond.

So, what does the Global Stocktake report tell us?

The Global Stocktake synthesis report is a 46-page technical dialogue which serves as a factual resource and provides a comprehensive overview of the outcomes from phases one and two.

Key finding 1:

While the Paris Agreement has driven climate action, we are not on track to meet its goals. Ambitions and action must be ramped up to get us there. 

Image of speed boat in the Ocean making a circle in the water. Ahead of COP28, Ocean Generation - a global Ocean charity shares - While the Paris Agreement
has driven climate action,
we are not on track
to meet its goals.

Key finding 2:

Climate change must be addressed within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Tougher, more transparent accounting measures are needed to accurately assess the credibility of climate contributions.

It is vital that marginalised groups (including women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples) are stakeholders to ensure that everyone can actively participate in these efforts.  

Key finding 3:

The large-scale systems transformation needed will be disruptive, so they need to be equitable.

Example transformations include shifting the current ways in which we get around to low-carbon forms of transport. This will involve shifting ownership from petrol and diesel to electric cars, and the entire reconfiguration of public transport networks.

Systems transformation also applies to the food and agriculture sector. We must find a way to reduce the land-footprint of agriculture, halt and reverse deforestation, and effectively manage fish stocks. All while simultaneously increasing production to provide for the ever-growing number of human mouths to feed.

These are the systems which underpin how we live our day-to-day lives, and they need to be transformed to better align human society with a climate-positive future. Therefore, it is vital that we focus on inclusion and equity to ensure that no-one is left behind.

Those most affected by climate impacts should be involved in crafting the solutions.

Key finding 4:

Global emissions are not in line with where they need to be, and the window to limit warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels is closing rapidly.

According to the IPCC AR6 Report, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak between 2020 and 2025 to limit warming to the Paris Agreement temperature goal. Global emissions have not yet peaked. 

Key finding 5:

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs – self-determined plans put in place by each nation to achieve its climate goals) must be more ambitious.

More leadership in reducing emissions is needed, particularly from developed countries. 

Key finding 6:

Systems change is needed from everyone, everywhere.
No sector can escape the need for transformation.

Two hands holding up a replica of the planet, symbolising that to take climate action change is needed from everyone, everywhere. No sector can escape the need for transformation. And everyone must look after our planet. The planet is in our hands.

Key finding 7:

A fair, just transition can be applied to a range of different approaches and contexts, at different stages of the journey.

Goals should be set in reasonable, manageable chunks to reduce the negative consequences of rapid systems change.

Key finding 8:

We must diversify the economy to cope with the changes that are needed. 

This includes contributions to the loss and damage fund agreed at COP27 and may involve restructuring entire supply chains.

Key finding 9:

We must secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.

No-one is safe from climate change, and greater focus (and funding) is needed to reduce, adapt, and respond to these impacts.

This is particularly vital for communities who are already feeling the effects but are neither prepared nor able to recover from disasters. 

Key finding 10:

Climate planning must be coherent amongst all sectors and regions, and adaptation measures need to be more streamlined, ambitious, and ubiquitous.  

Word cloud of all 17 of the findings from the global stocktake: our planet's first assessment - country by country - of the progress we're making in the face of climate change; created by Ocean Generation. — *Word cloud of the most-used words in the 17 findings from the Global Stocktake Report, 2023.*

Key finding 11:

Lots more support for locally led adaptation methods is needed. This includes improving access to critical resources and information, to empower communities forge their own solutions.

Key finding 12:

Despite the 1.5°C benchmark, we need to understand that impacts will worsen with every fraction of a degree of global warming, particularly for vulnerable communities who are already affected.

It is vital that we do not exceed certain thresholds and ‘tipping points’ which will lead to irreversible changes. Filling knowledge gaps is crucial to identify these tipping points and effectively avoid them.  

Key finding 13:

Climate finance is inadequate and needs to be urgently improved and scaled-up. 

Key finding 14:

Access to climate finance in developing countries needs to be enhanced.

Key finding 15:

Finance and investment flows need to be directed towards the energy transition and away from greenhouse gases.

Clean technology (eg. Renewable energy) is crucial to tackle climate change.

Ways of implementing this include:

De-risking investments in clean-energy technologies.
Creating pipelines of investible products for adaptation and mitigation.
Subsidies.

Key finding 16:

Clean technology (eg. Renewable energy) is crucial to tackle climate change. A reduction in cost and push towards scalability is needed to rapidly deploy existing technologies and effectively integrate them into grid systems.

More research is also needed to understand the role of technology and innovation (such as Carbon Capture and Storage) in supporting the transition.  

Key finding 17:

We need international cooperation to reduce the barriers to climate action.

This would involve empowering each nation to assess their climate risks and seek ways to improve them.  

breaching wave shared by Ocean Generation: Experts in Ocean education

What happens next?

The Global Stocktake is a vital tool to catalyse the urgency we need for robust, decisive action at the scale that is needed.

It will enter the political phase during COP28, where discussions will take place and a new round of NDCs will be released. These decisions will determine how the world responds to this information at such a critical stage of the climate crisis.

Read: Everything you ned to know about COP28.

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Jemma Sargeant

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

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16. 11. 2023 Jemma Sargeant

What to expect from COP28

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Everything you need to know: COP28.

It’s almost time for the world to come together once more, at COP28, to discuss our climate change commitments.

Ahead of this year’s summit, the Global Stocktake provided a useful inventory of current progress toward global climate goals. COP28 will therefore represent an important opportunity for course correction and increased ambition towards Ocean-climate action.

What is COP all about?

What is COP? The Conference of Parties is the annual conference and decision-making body for global climate change commitments. Definition of COP on an image of a woman with short hair, walking away from a singular yellow chair on a beach. Shared by Ocean generation in an article about COP28 expectations.

The Conference Of Parties (COP) is an annual conference where the main decision-making for global climate change commitments takes place.

And when is COP28? COP28 will be held between 30^th November – 12^th December 2023, at Expo City, Dubai, UAE.

The formal goals of COP28 are:

Energy and emissions:

Phase-down demand for, and supply of all fossil fuels, leading to an energy system free of unabated fossil fuels by 2050 (which basically means we’d be free of fossil fuels used and produced without interventions to reduce the greenhouse gasses they emit throughout their life cycle).

This includes tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements across sectors by 2030.

Finance:

Ensuring that climate finance is affordable, available, and accessible to developing countries, by delivering the annual investment in climate action needed by 2030.

Putting nature, people, lives, and livelihoods first:

Investing in people and nature through the loss and damage fund and encouraging all parties to align climate action with biodiversity targets, since one cannot exist without the other.

Inclusivity:

Commitments towards strengthened collaboration with marginalised groups such as women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, people of determination, subnational actors, and faith-based organisations.

There is no room for phasing-down the use of fossil fuels in a net zero world. We must phase-out fossil fuels to protect our planet. Quote shared by Ocean Generation: Experts in Ocean health.

Why is COP28 controversial?

COP28 has received a lot of attention from the media, particularly regarding this year’s COP President’s position within the fossil fuel industry.

Dr Sultan al-Jaber is the minister of industry and advanced technology for UAE, and the managing director and group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC Group).

Concerns have been raised about the impartiality of climate talks and the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists, for whom blocking fossil fuel phase-out is within their economic interest.

For instance, ADNOC announced a five-year, $150 billion investment in fossil fuel expansion in November 2022.

This is predicted to produce 7.5 billion barrels of oil and gas, 90% of which would have to remain in the ground to meet the International Energy Agency’s net zero emissions scenario.

How can we spot when climate-dialogue is shifted towards the interests of the fossil fuel industry?

Decoding climate dialogue – it’s all in the wording:

When navigating climate conferences, it’s important to understand key terms and phrasing which may open loopholes and derail progress.

Accurately decoding the dialogue helps us to stay diligent, see past greenwashing and spot false solutions.

This is particularly important during discussions on topics which divide the crowd.

Two little penguins on ice in the Antarctic. The accompanying wording reads: When navigating climate conferences, it’s important to understand key terms and phrasing which may open loopholes and derail progress. Shared by Ocean Generation as part of their series of everything you need to know about COP.

Here are some key phrases to look out for this year:

Unabated fossil fuels:

Fossil fuels burned without using technologies to capture the resulting CO₂ emissions.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):

The relative importance of CCS remains contentious in climate discussions.

What is CCS?

Carbon capture and storage is a process used to capture the carbon dioxide produced by power generation or industrial activity, transporting it, and storing it deep underground.

The science tells us that while CCS has the potential to play a key role in meeting climate change targets (eg. For heavy industry that’s much harder to decarbonise. And once we reach net zero, it can help tip us back the other way), but it’s not the silver-bullet solution to the current problem.

Focussing on mobilising CCS instead of simply keeping fossil fuels in the ground is a distraction. It delays the inevitable transition away from fossil fuels that needs to happen.

Phase-down emissions:

There is no room for phasing-down in a net-zero world; we must phase-out.

The use of the word ‘emissions’ also deliberately omits fossil fuels from final decisions. This ambiguous phrasing provides a loophole for their continued growth and development.

The focus must therefore be on ‘phasing-out fossil fuels.’

Ocean spotlight at COP28:

Motorised boat on a dry stretch of land that should be water. The words read: Our Ocean is increasingly recognised in global climate dialogue and will take the spotlight at COP28 during the ‘Nature, Land use and Oceans’ thematic day (9th December 2023). This dedicated day aims to support climate-aligned and nature positive use of land and Ocean systems.

This reflects the increasing focus towards ‘blue ambition’ and the growing recognition that when we protect the Ocean, we also protect ourselves.

Our Ocean is increasingly recognised in global climate dialogue and will take the spotlight at COP28 during the ‘Nature, Land use and Oceans’ thematic day (9^th December 2023). This dedicated day aims to support climate-aligned and nature positive use of land and Ocean systems.

This reflects the increasing focus towards ‘blue ambition’ and the growing recognition that when we protect the Ocean, we also protect ourselves.

Ocean action is climate action and climate action is Ocean action.
Ignace Beguin Billecocq, Ocean Lead for UN Climate Change High-Level Champions.

Are the conversations at COP going to cut it? We need action, not promises. Implementation, not good intentions. This article runs down Ocean Generation's expectations for COP28.

Ocean Generation’s hopes and expectations for COP28:

We will always welcome more commitments to safeguard our Ocean, but this year we want to see promises turn to progress, and ideas turn to action.

This includes: 

Decarbonisation across every sector.

New research suggests that we have less than six years before global warming of 1.5°C is inevitable. Rapid, widespread reduction of CO₂ emissions is essential to steer us away from this fate.

Decarbonisation efforts should seek alternative fuels and port infrastructure for Ocean shipping, enabling technologies to connect new and existing marine-renewable energy to the grid, and strengthened net-zero commitments across fisheries and aquaculture supply chains.

Opportunities to incentivise emissions reductions within the Ocean-tourism sector should also be considered.

Strengthening of mitigation and adaptation commitments.

Commitments made in the landmark High Seas Treaty agreement earlier in 2023 must be actioned in climate policies, to meet the goal of protecting 30% of the Ocean by 2030. Focus must also be drawn to the remaining 70%, to build progress toward the Ocean we need. 

Further restoration and protection of “blue carbon” ecosystems (such as seagrasses, mangroves, tidal marshes) within exclusive economic zones must be included in national commitments to ensure their sustained benefits (such as carbon sequestration and flood protection).

Mainstreaming Ocean-action.

Now, more than ever, widespread recognition of our Ocean’s pivotal role in combatting climate change is vital.

We need increased Ocean-recognition in global climate dialogue, and countries must commit to mainstreaming Ocean-actions into their national commitments.

These Ocean-climate solutions must be integrated into biodiversity goals since one cannot exist without the other.  

Blue carbon ecosystems reduce impacts of climate change. What are blue carbon ecosystems? Blue carbon is any carbon stored by the Ocean so blue carbon ecosystems are ecosystems that make that carbon storage in the Ocean possible. Examples include mangrove trees, salt marshes and sea grass meadows.

Inclusive and mobilised solutions for all.

No-one is safe from climate change, so no-one should be left out of forging solutions.

We need full empowerment and collaboration with marginalised groups, especially those that are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Community-led marine management should play a central role, and this must be enabled by providing access to critical resources and information.

Stable and accessible finance flows are needed to provide a healthy Ocean for all.

Filling knowledge gaps in this critical Decade for Ocean Science.

Strengthening of Ocean-focused research and standardised data sharing is critical to effectively implement and manage Ocean-actions.

How to stay up to date with all things COP28

Follow Ocean Generation on your favourite social platform for COP updates, progress, Ocean wins, and actions.

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Jemma Sargeant

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

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14. 11. 2023 Lydia Dupree

Is it ‘green’ or greenwashing?

Fashionable women and men sitting on wooden chairs in a lush, healthy field. The people are dressed in sustainable neutrals. In this article, Ocean Generation and Lydia Dupree breakdown what greenwashing is and how to spot it.

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How to tell the difference between sustainable fashion and false claims like greenwashing

The fashion industry is swept up in buzzwords — especially when marketing sustainable fashion. “Eco-friendly”, “natural”, “green”—the list goes on. But what do they mean? Do they have substance, at all?

Most of them are fluff, jargon to make a brand sound environmentally conscious without any true scientific backing as to their impact on our blue planet. Sustainability is easy to market, but hard to prove.

Saying that, we can welcome our next buzzy term into the mix —greenwashing.

What is greenwashing?

No, greenwashing is not an expensive non-toxic clothing detergent or the latest dry cleaning method.

Greenwashing is “the act or practice of making a product, policy, activity, etc. appear to be more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is”.

Definition of greenwashing by Lydia Dupree and Ocean Generation. Greenwashing =
making a product,
policy, activity, etc.
appear to be more environmentally friendly
than it really is.

What is greenwashing in fashion?

Greenwashing in fashion can range from a fast fashion brand debuting a “sustainable” collection that lacks evidence supporting how it is environmentally conscious, to sprinkling eco-friendly terms into marketing without defining what they mean.

In short, greenwashing is the use of false claims to hop on to the sustainability trend without evidence (if only Legally Blonde had come out now, Elle would be all over this one!).

Greenwashing instructions including exaggerating positive contributions to ethical and sustainable fashion and distracting from the ongoing mass of fast fashion garment production. Shared by Ocean Generation and Lydia Dupree. Via Project Stopshop

How can you tell the difference between sustainable fashion and false claims?

5 ways to identify greenwashing in fashion.

If you see these red flags, run!

The use of sustainability jargon, such as “green”, “eco-friendly”, “sustainable”, and “natural” in marketing without a definition explaining what the brand means when using the term.
A fast fashion company that comes out with new items often (think: daily, weekly, monthly, even large numbers released seasonally) markets their new line as “sustainable”.

Releasing large volumes of clothing indicates that the company as a whole is not following an earth-conscious business model and thereby cannot justify one of their lines truly being sustainable.
Claiming fabrics to be “organic” or “non-toxic” without certifications to support (see below for more information on certifications to look for).
The lack of scientific reports exploring their sustainability impact . If a brand has the data to prove how they are sustainable, they will show it.
Using the term “vegan” to make clothing sound like a healthier, cruelty-free alternative , when the fabric is derived from petrochemicals (meaning, they are fossil-fuel derived plastics).

However, some “vegan” fabrics are plant-based materials, which would be a sustainable alternative.

Watch: Lydia’s short video about how to avoid plastics in clothing.

Women wearing three pairs of sunglasses on her head: One pink, blue and yellow. A tranisiton to slow fashion is needed to safegaurd our planet. This article explores greenwashing red flags.

5 signs of sustainable fashion.

Look for these green flags!

Look for transparency in fashion.

The brand has sustainability reports backed up by data readily available.

Sustainability reports can include their efforts towards lowering carbon footprint, reducing water usage and overall waste, treating and paying garment workers fairly, and outlining future sustainability goals.
How traceable is your clothing?

Clothing is fully traceable back to the source, such as the farm that grew the cotton or the alpaca whose wool you are wearing.
Is your sustainable clothing certified by credible sources?

Fabrics and processes can be certified by credible sources, such as:

➡️ What does a GOTS certification mean?
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) ensures no pesticides or insecticides are used in farming and all chemistry used by the brand in the production of clothing is in alignment with being truly organic.

GOTS-certified facilities also adhere to social criteria based on leading social sustainability standards.

➡️ What is OEKO TEX in the fashion world?
OEKO-TEX® is all about chemical safety. They have a variety of certifications, but the most popular one is the STANDARD 100 which ensures that the final product was tested to confirm that it is free from over 3,000 different toxic chemicals.

➡️ What does bluesign credibility mean?
bluesign® approved facilities look at the overall chemistry used by a brand from fiber to finished product to ensure safe chemistry practices are used.

➡️ What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade International and Fair Trade USA follow criteria that support ethical working environments for farmers and garment workers, eco-friendly practices and prioritise fair pay.
Are the clothes you’re wearing part of circular fashion?

“Circular” fashion stops the linear “take-make-waste” model of fast fashion and instead closes the loop on production, including responsible manufacturing, use, and recycling for every garment.

Look for brands that have take-back programs to recycle and reuse garments when they are at the end of life.
Is the clothing you’re wearing from small batch production?

A brand launches only a few items at a time in a limited supply to combat waste from the fashion industry, such as increasing landfills.

A sustainably made scarf rustles in the wind. It's being held up, by a set of hands. In the background is a blue sky. Shared by Ocean Generation: Experts in Ocean Health.

Now in the know.

Although greenwashing is an indicator that the industry is slowly becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment.

But the only way to truly make a positive difference is to be honest and straightforward in their environmental efforts.

Every decision we make – from what we wear to what we eat and how we move – has an impact on the future health of our Ocean and planet.

With these tips to spot greenwashing, you’re now equipped to decipher the sustainability cons from the true conservationists. Go forth with your newfound skill and tell a friend.

Greenwashing is an indicator that the industry is becoming more conscious of their environmental impact. But to truly make a positive difference they must be honest about their environmental efforts. In this article by Lydia Dupree, Ocean Generation is unpacking what greenwashing is and what red flags to look out for.

Connect with Lydia via her website or Instagram page.

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Lydia Dupree

Lydia Dupree is a biochemist and author of peer-reviewed articles in her field. She dives deep into the literature to explore the impact the fashion industry has on our health and environment, and shows how to easily implement sustainable fashion into our lives.

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

Monthly: Impact in your inbox.

What’s happened on our blue planet since COP27?

Extreme weather events and temperature records have made headlines more frequently in 2023 than ever.

Timeline of extreme weather events and Ocean wins that have made headlines in 2023:

How the Ocean is linked to temperature records broken:

How the Ocean links to storms and flooding events:

What is the El Niño phenomenon?

The surprising impact of wildfires on our Ocean:

Ocean wins giving us hope for the future.

Stay up to date with COP28:

Related content

Interesting animals that use bioluminescence in the deep Ocean.

What happens after a whale dies? Life after death in the deep-sea

The history of Earth Day and practical actions you can take

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

The Global Stocktake: Translated

What is the Global Stocktake and what has it told us about the progress we’re making in the face of climate change?

The Global Stocktake consists of three phases:

So, what does the Global Stocktake report tell us?

Key finding 1:

Key finding 2:

Key finding 3:

Key finding 4:

Key finding 5:

Key finding 6:

Key finding 7:

Key finding 8:

Key finding 9:

Key finding 10:

Key finding 11:

Key finding 12:

Key finding 13:

Key finding 14:

Key finding 15:

Key finding 16:

Key finding 17:

What happens next?

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What happens after a whale dies? Life after death in the deep-sea

The history of Earth Day and practical actions you can take

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How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

What to expect from COP28

Everything you need to know: COP28.

What is COP all about?

The formal goals of COP28 are:

Why is COP28 controversial?

Decoding climate dialogue – it’s all in the wording:

Here are some key phrases to look out for this year:

What is CCS?

Ocean spotlight at COP28:

Ocean Generation’s hopes and expectations for COP28:

How to stay up to date with all things COP28

Related content

Interesting animals that use bioluminescence in the deep Ocean.

What happens after a whale dies? Life after death in the deep-sea

The history of Earth Day and practical actions you can take

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

Is it ‘green’ or greenwashing?

How to tell the difference between sustainable fashion and false claims like greenwashing

What is greenwashing?

What is greenwashing in fashion?

How can you tell the difference between sustainable fashion and false claims?

5 ways to identify greenwashing in fashion.

5 signs of sustainable fashion.

Now in the know.

Related content

Interesting animals that use bioluminescence in the deep Ocean.

What happens after a whale dies? Life after death in the deep-sea

The history of Earth Day and practical actions you can take

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.

How deep is the Ocean? Explore fascinating creatures of the deep.