GMRI Senior Scientist Dr. Kanae Tokunaga Contributes to Global Assessment on Transformative Change

PORTLAND, MAINE - On December 18, 2024, The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) announced the release of a new global assessment, led by a group of international experts that includes the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's (GMRI) Dr. Kanae Tokunaga, GMRI Senior Scientist and leader of our Coastal and Marine Economics Lab. Dr. Tokunaga played a pivotal role as a Lead Author in the Transformative Change Assessment released by IPBES. This groundbreaking international assessment marks a critical milestone in understanding the systemic challenges and pathways toward a sustainable future.

As Lead Author for Chapter 4: Overcoming the Challenges of Achieving Transformative Change Towards a Sustainable World, Dr. Tokunaga focuses on barriers to transformative change-such as unsustainable production patterns, inadequate institutions, and entrenched systems of inequality-and actionable strategies to overcome them.

"Being part of the Transformative Change Assessment is a monumental opportunity to address the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss and societal challenges," said Dr. Tokunaga. "In Chapter 4, we focused on how our systems and behaviors must shift to create meaningful, sustainable change that benefits both people and nature."

The Transformative Change Assessment reflects three years of rigorous research and collaboration among 101 world-class experts from 42 countries, including Dr. Tokunaga. The report identifies the systemic factors impeding progress toward the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity and offers evidence-based options to accelerate change. This includes solutions rooted in economic restructuring, clean technology adoption, and shifts in global policies.

The findings of the Transformative Change Assessment are particularly relevant to the Gulf of Maine region, where coastal communities face challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic transitions. At GMRI, Dr. Tokunaga's work aligns with these global priorities, focusing on coastal resilience, sustainable resource management, and economic development.

"This global report is not just about science and nature-it's about us. It's about humanity and the systems we created. It's about how the way we choose to live matters for the future of humans and nature." Dr. Tokunaga explained. "It carries great importance to Maine, as a state with deep roots in natural resource sectors, and I hope this assessment helps us reflect on our relationship with nature."

To learn more about Dr. Tokunaga's work and GMRI's efforts to support coastal communities, visit her lab page.

The Transformative Change Assessment will be officially launched in 2025, but the summary for policymakers is currently available globally.

About the Gulf of Maine Research Institute:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. Located in Portland, ME, the institute is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.gmri.org.

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