Environmental protections before the next president could be sworn in were implemented to help save 625 million acres of ocean from oil and gas exploration.

In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses recent developments regarding the Gulf of Mexico and new protections for marine environments in the U.S.

Gulf of Mexico Name Change Proposal

The episode begins with a focus on Donald Trump's controversial proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." Lewin explains that such a unilateral change is not feasible due to historical, cultural, and diplomatic considerations. The name "Gulf of Mexico" has been recognized internationally for centuries and reflects the region's shared history with Mexico and Cuba. Any attempt to rename it would require significant international consensus, which is unlikely given current diplomatic tensions. Lewin emphasizes that the U.S. cannot simply impose a new name on an internationally recognized body of water.

New Protections for Oceans

The podcast then shifts to President Joe Biden's recent actions aimed at protecting marine ecosystems. Biden has banned offshore drilling and gas drilling across 65 million acres of federal waters, including sensitive areas in the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific Oceans, and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. This decision was made through an executive order invoking the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which grants the president broad authority to withdraw federal waters from future oil and gas leasing.

Lewin notes that while Biden's ban can be reversed by a future administration, it would require congressional approval, making it more challenging for Trump to undo the protections unilaterally. The episode highlights that the economic impact of this ban may be minimal in the short term, as existing offshore rigs continue to operate and new projects take years to develop.

Overall, the episode underscores the complexities surrounding the Gulf of Mexico's name and the importance of Biden's new protections for marine environments. Lewin invites listeners to share their thoughts on these developments and the future of ocean conservation.