The Future of the East Coast's Offshore Wind Industry Will Require Collaboration and Partnership

We are at a critical juncture to rescue our planet from the threat of climate change. As an organization that spearheads the cause of marine life conservation, Gotham Whale knows that the looming threat of climate change poses a serious danger to our oceans and its complex ecosystems.

Marine mammal populations around the world are under increasing stress and threat due to the climate crisis. Marine heat waves are reducing reproductive success in some species and increasing the spread of disease in others. While many equatorial and temperate species are extending their ranges toward the poles.

Here on the East Coast, offshore wind will be a critical component to the transition to clean energy in the U.S. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the U.S. offshore wind pipeline grew by nearly 14% in 2022 alone, with over 40 GW of capacity in various stages of development. Now more than ever, it will be critical that the offshore wind industry and local ocean advocates, like us, build strong partnerships and foster long-term collaboration with the offshore wind industry that will be essential for making sure we work together to reach success.

Fortunately, there are records of successful collaborations along the East Coast when it comes to the protection of marine life. The efforts of regulators, environmental groups, and citizens have greatly improved the conditions of the Hudson River and the waters in and around the harbor. With these improvements, the biological food chain has rebounded, supporting a diverse ecology, from oysters to whales. The waters around the harbor now are important feeding grounds for seals, dolphins, and whales. As the region begins to develop a robust portfolio of emission-free offshore wind power, we must maintain the health of our marine ecosystem – and Gotham Whale believes this can be achieved through close collaboration between the offshore wind industry and local advocates like our organization extending a hand and working together.

Take, for example, partnerships like the one between Gotham Whale and Leading Light Wind, an American-led proposed offshore wind project in the New York Bight. If selected through New Jersey's solicitation for offshore wind, Leading Light Wind will support Gotham Whale’s ongoing citizen science efforts, youth education programs, and organizational capacity needs. These efforts and the information we are collecting about whales are critical and can help define the important questions that need to be addressed to guide the development of offshore wind projects. More partnerships like this are needed to ensure offshore wind projects across the New York Bight are responsibly developed and built.

These partnerships can also help the public better understand the potential of offshore wind. Recently, misinformation campaigns have fed opposition to the development of offshore wind. To dispel these myths, we need to invest in trusted resources for public education, advocacy, and research. Organizations like ours are at the forefront of marine life education and research and, along with offshore wind developers, we can provide a way of sharing more extensive and accurate resources for all stakeholders.

The offshore wind industry has immense potential to help combat climate change and create a more sustainable future. However, for this potential to be realized, it will be essential to build strong partnerships with local stakeholder groups and marine advocates. Such partnerships can ensure that offshore wind development is done responsibly and sustainably, with the protection of marine life and the interests of all ocean users in mind. It is time for the growing offshore wind industry to invest in and support groups like Gotham Whale that are working towards a healthier marine environment and a sustainable future for all – this collaboration is already working on the East Coast, and we need more of it.

Zack Klyver, Executive Director, Gotham Whale

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