Oceans 212

A new report paints a dire picture for the future of the nation's lakes and oceans, and offers 212 specific recommendations.

1 minute read

September 22, 2004, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, concluding two and a half years of studying oceans, coastal areas, and the Great Lakes, delivered its final report to the political types in Congress and the White House. This may be a rare case where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are fired up to do some good. Members of both parties in Congress and environmental groups came out in support of the commission's recommendations, and President Bush made sympathetic comments. Perhaps the report is being taken seriously because it paints such a grim picture of oceans ravaged by pollution and overfishing. Said James Watkins, chair of the commission, "The oceans are saying, 'We've had it, human beings. Give us a break.' And that's what we are trying to do." The report has 212 specific recommendations aimed at saving our beleaguered oceans. Bush has 90 days to respond to the report; environmentalists aren't expecting much.

Thanks to Grist Magazine

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 in Naples Daily News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view image of strip mall in suburban Duncanville, Texas.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall

A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

2 hours ago - Parking Reform Network

Blue tarps covering tents set up by unhoused people along chain link fence on concrete sidewalk.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work

Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

4 hours ago - Next City

Aerial tram moving along cable in hilly area in Medellin, Colombia.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle

Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.

6 hours ago - InTransition Magazine