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POWELL— On Friday, 24 members of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) announced their first step in achieving their long-term goal of climate neutrality. These institutions, including the Columbus Zoo, Aquarium and Science Center, will work together in order to draw on their extraordinary legacy of leadership in conservation science communication and education to implement climate solutions.
The ACP Climate Commitment was signed by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium with the long-term goal to achieve climate neutrality. This commitment includes the completion of a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, setting carbon neutrity goals and timelines and communicating our journey towards carbon neutrality with our community and guests. We will also create and share strategies to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and eliminate them from the atmosphere. The April 2024 deadline is set for achieving these goals.
Climate change is the greatest threat for the future of our planet, freshwater systems and people. The global ocean has been absorbing the heat from climate change for decades. It absorbs more than 90% of excess heat and almost a third of carbon dioxide from greenhouse gas emissions. The result is a warmer, acidic, starved ocean that is less habitable to fish and marine wildlife. Now is the time to act. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s most recent report, although emissions growth has slowed, global average annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2010-2019 were at their highest level in human history. Without immediate and deep emission reductions across all sectors of the economy, it is impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Participating in this climate pledge places the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium among the growing number businesses and organizations that demonstrate both an understanding and desire to be part of the solution to the climate crisis.
These aquariums attract over 30 million people annually and contribute more than $22.5 billion to America’s economy. These facilities offer over 200 unique conservation programs that help to understand the natural world, as well as to develop solutions to environmental problems such climate change. The facilities’ ongoing commitment to expanding sustainable practices has already collectively eliminated over 1 million single-use plastic bottles from landfills since 2018.
“As leaders in conservation, aquariums are expected to walk their talk, and that’s exactly what this partnership is meant to do,” said Aquarium Conservation Partnership Executive Director Kim McIntyre. “We are uniquely qualified to set an example for others — in reducing our carbon footprint, encouraging sustainable operating practices, and inspiring hope in a public that is hungry to be part of the solution.”
“We are extremely proud to officially join our aquarium colleagues in expanding our active leadership role through this climate commitment and further contribute to solutions benefiting our planet. Starting this Earth Day and moving forward, this collaboration positions us to make an even bigger impact locally and globally while inspiring others to join us in these important efforts,” said Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.
Submitted by the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
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