President Obama Names Dr. Jane Lubchenco as First U.S. Science Envoy for the Ocean
Statement from EDF President Fred Krupp
(WASHINGTON – Dec. 5, 2014) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today hailed President Obama’s decision to name Dr. Jane Lubchenco as the Department of State’s first U.S. Science Envoy for the Ocean. The move signals the growing priority of oceans in the administration and the kind of collaborative approach it takes to restore resilient jobs, communities and biodiversity worldwide.
“Dr. Lubchenco brings the type of leadership critical to halt and reverse overfishing, and to replenish the vast and vital ocean that lets our planet’s coastal communities grow and thrive. As a distinguished scholar, pragmatic policy-maker, and renowned leader of the nation’s foremost scientific institutions, she has advanced our understanding of how best to conserve the landscapes, atmosphere, and especially salt waters on which humanity depends.
Dr. Lubchenco brought about a literal ‘sea change’ in how over the long-term we can safely and sustainably harvest more nourishing food from our oceans. Thanks in part to her leadership, the U.S. has boosted fish populations over the last three years, while increasing fishing industry jobs 23% and fishermen revenues by 30%.
As the first female NOAA Administrator from 2009-2013, Lubencho led this transformation in our nation’s fishery system by embracing fishermen incentives as a way to turn conflict into cooperation, and reverse fragile collapse into a resilient ecological recovery. She spearheaded this change despite shrunken budgets, a crippling recession, a polarized Congress, a changing climate, and as tensions between fishermen and regulators reached an all-time high.
That’s why Dr. Lubchenco’s appointment puts the right person with the right ideas in the right place at the right time. The Environmental Defense Fund is grateful to enjoy her counsel on our board of directors, and we are proud to see her elevated to a position where she can support others around the world in building the best scientific understanding and practical solutions that can result in more fish in the water, more food on the plate, and more prosperous communities.”
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
EDF Statement on the Passing of Congressman Raúl Grijalva
March 13, 2025 -
Trump Administration Announces Plan to Strip Federal Wetland Protections
March 13, 2025 -
New York State Senate Includes Climate Resilient New York Act in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
March 12, 2025 -
EPA Administrator Zeldin’s Plan Will Increase Pollution in Daily Lives
March 12, 2025 -
Trump Administration to Close EPA’s Environmental Justice Offices
March 12, 2025 -
Restarting Dirty Coal Plants Will Mean More Pollution, Health Harms, Higher Costs for Americans
March 12, 2025