Todd Woody is executive editor for environment at News Deeply. A veteran environmental journalist based in California, Todd previously served as editorial director for environment at TakePart, a digital magazine owned by Participant Media. He formerly was the environment editor at Forbes magazine, a senior editor at Fortune magazine, an assistant managing editor at Business 2.0 magazine and the business editor of the San Jose Mercury News. He has been a frequent contributor on environmental issues to The New York Times, The Atlantic, Quartz and other publications. https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/contributor/todd-woody/rss en Climate Change Coral Reefs Mon, 13 Aug 2018 08:20:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/13/another-threat-to-coral-reefs-shifting-baselines-of-whats-normal https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/08/13/another-threat-to-coral-reefs-shifting-baselines-of-whats-normal A 19-year-long study on the impact of bleaching and cyclones on a section of the Great Barrier Reef underscores the challenges of determining what a healthy coral ecosystem looks like in an era of rapidly accelerating climate change. Deep Sea Mining Wed, 25 Jul 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/25/hurry-up-and-wait-big-decisions-on-seabed-mining-remain-unresolved https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/25/hurry-up-and-wait-big-decisions-on-seabed-mining-remain-unresolved Faced with a 2020 deadline, the International Seabed Authority has a daunting challenge in completing regulations that will fulfill its mandate to allow the mining of deep-sea ecosystems for minerals while protecting unique marine habitats. Deep Sea Mining Mon, 16 Jul 2018 09:09:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/16/a-high-stakes-week-for-deep-sea-mining https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/16/a-high-stakes-week-for-deep-sea-mining As the International Seabed Authority meets to debate environmental regulations for the extraction of minerals from fragile ocean habitats, the debate grows between nations and corporations favoring mining and scientists concerned about irreversible impacts. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 05 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/05/no-cover-corals-on-great-barrier-reef-hit-record-low https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/07/05/no-cover-corals-on-great-barrier-reef-hit-record-low In the wake of catastrophic bleaching events, scientists find that coral cover on the world’s biggest reef system is near record lows, while other research shows recovery will be “slow and painful” as only a tiny number of coral larvae are repopulating devastated reefs. Biodiversity Climate Change Coral Reefs Wed, 18 Apr 2018 13:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/18/scientists-the-great-barrier-reef-as-we-knew-it-is-gone https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/18/scientists-the-great-barrier-reef-as-we-knew-it-is-gone A new study finds that the extreme coral bleaching event of 2016 devastated the world’s largest coral reef and is dramatically altering coral ecosystems as marine heat waves become more frequent. Biodiversity Coral Reefs Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:30:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/10/the-hidden-coral-crisis-loss-of-fish-diversity-after-bleaching-strikes https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/04/10/the-hidden-coral-crisis-loss-of-fish-diversity-after-bleaching-strikes Scientists in Australia have documented how the composition of coral species affects the survival of fish populations following bleaching events. As small fish key to coral health disappear, reefs’ resilience to future catastrophes could decline. Deep Sea Mining Fri, 23 Mar 2018 08:10:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/23/nations-put-new-focus-on-environmental-impacts-of-deep-sea-mining https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/23/nations-put-new-focus-on-environmental-impacts-of-deep-sea-mining As the International Seabed Authority writes regulations to govern the mining of the ocean floor for valuable minerals, delegates at the U.N.-chartered organization’s recent meeting stressed the need to ensure unique deep ocean animals and habitats are protected. Coral Reefs Solutions Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:20:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/15/premium-protection-why-insurers-are-eager-to-cover-coral-reefs https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/03/15/premium-protection-why-insurers-are-eager-to-cover-coral-reefs As hurricanes become more destructive in a warming climate, coral reefs protect coastal property worth billions of dollars. Now Mexico is taking out the world’s first insurance policy on a coral reef to ensure its restoration after storms strike. Plastic Pollution Solutions Technology Fri, 23 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Lara Setrakian, Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/02/23/message-in-a-bottle-procter-s-push-to-recycle-ocean-plastic https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/community/2018/02/23/message-in-a-bottle-procter-s-push-to-recycle-ocean-plastic Consumer products giant P&G is tackling marine pollution by creating bottles made from beach plastic and developing new technologies to reduce waste. P&G’s Virginie Helias talks about the importance of collaboration to solve the ocean plastic crisis. Biodiversity Deep Sea Mining Governance Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:20:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/01/european-parliament-calls-for-a-moratorium-on-deep-sea-mining https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/02/01/european-parliament-calls-for-a-moratorium-on-deep-sea-mining European legislators have voted overwhelmingly for a resolution that advocates halting efforts to mine the seabed for minerals – until the environmental consequences of industrializing the high seas can be determined. Coral Reefs Plastic Pollution Thu, 25 Jan 2018 14:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/25/study-ocean-plastic-trash-is-smothering-coral-reefs-spreading-disease https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/25/study-ocean-plastic-trash-is-smothering-coral-reefs-spreading-disease Scientists surveyed nearly 125,000 coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific region, finding that 11.1 billion pieces of plastic debris are entangled in corals and are drastically increasing the likelihood that they will contract deadly diseases. Climate Change Coral Reefs Thu, 04 Jan 2018 14:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/04/coral-countdown-groundbreaking-study-finds-times-up-to-save-reefs https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/01/04/coral-countdown-groundbreaking-study-finds-times-up-to-save-reefs A new analysis shows a dramatic increase since 1980 in the rate of catastrophic coral bleaching events striking ecologically and economically crucial reef systems worldwide. That leaves little opportunity for damaged corals to rebound. Plastic Pollution Solutions Wed, 20 Dec 2017 07:55:43 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/20/holiday-savings-these-plastic-gifts-are-good-for-the-ocean https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/20/holiday-savings-these-plastic-gifts-are-good-for-the-ocean A growing number of companies are intercepting plastic before it enters the ocean and harms marine life, turning trash into everything from sunglasses and surfboard fins to swimwear and skateboards. Fisheries Governance Thu, 14 Dec 2017 07:00:00 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/14/go-fish-international-talks-to-ban-harmful-fisheries-subsidies-collapse https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/14/go-fish-international-talks-to-ban-harmful-fisheries-subsidies-collapse Expectations that the World Trade Organization would reach an agreement this week in Buenos Aires to prohibit government subsides that promote overfishing and illegal fishing were dashed when one country blocked negotiations. Plastic Pollution Solutions Technology Tue, 12 Dec 2017 08:37:16 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/12/dell-gm-to-create-ocean-plastic-supply-chain-to-fight-marine-pollution https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/12/dell-gm-to-create-ocean-plastic-supply-chain-to-fight-marine-pollution The NextWave consortium, which includes Dell, General Motors and other corporations, aims to industrialize the use of ocean-bound plastic in manufacturing by collecting it before it reaches the sea. Fisheries Governance Mon, 11 Dec 2017 08:08:37 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/11/last-tango-in-buenos-aires-wto-faces-deadline-to-ban-fishing-subsidies https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/12/11/last-tango-in-buenos-aires-wto-faces-deadline-to-ban-fishing-subsidies With a 2020 mandate to prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies that have led to the overexploitation of fish that feed billions of people, the World Trade Organization may finally take action at its biennial meeting this week in Argentina. Plastic Pollution Solutions Technology Tue, 21 Nov 2017 06:26:38 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/21/deeply-talks-why-plastic-straws-are-key-to-fighting-ocean-pollution https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/21/deeply-talks-why-plastic-straws-are-key-to-fighting-ocean-pollution Oceans Deeply talks with experts about how the city of Seattle pioneered a ban on plastic straws, a campaign to make other cities ‘strawless’ and how straws are a gateway to changing people’s use of disposable plastics, responsible for a marine pollution crisis. Plastic Pollution Solutions Technology Wed, 01 Nov 2017 09:42:10 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/01/strawless-in-seattle-how-one-city-is-tackling-ocean-plastic-pollution https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/11/01/strawless-in-seattle-how-one-city-is-tackling-ocean-plastic-pollution The Emerald City is eliminating millions of plastic straws thanks to a collaboration between activists, business and the maker of a marine-safe alternative to a ubiquitous product. Now the campaign is moving to other major cities. Biodiversity Blue Economy Governance Solutions Wed, 11 Oct 2017 09:01:43 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/10/11/see-who-just-pledged-8-billion-to-protect-the-ocean https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/10/11/see-who-just-pledged-8-billion-to-protect-the-ocean As momentum builds for an international treaty to protect high seas biodiversity, national leaders and business executives at the fourth Our Ocean conference vowed to take action to fight climate change, plastic pollution and other threats to marine ecosystems. Biodiversity Deep Sea Mining Wed, 27 Sep 2017 07:27:55 +0000 Todd Woody https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/09/27/newly-discovered-deep-sea-sponge-could-be-the-canary-in-the-seabed-mine https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/09/27/newly-discovered-deep-sea-sponge-could-be-the-canary-in-the-seabed-mine Scientists have found a tiny sponge that may be the most abundant and important marine organism on a vast stretch of the ocean floor, which companies and nations want to mine for valuable minerals.