Ocean Conservancy Announces Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Expand its Restoration and Policy Reform Work in the Wake of the BP Oil Disaster

President and CEO Vikki Spruill and staff announce Commitment on stage with the former President at this year's Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting

NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Ocean Conservancy announced its formal commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), pledging to expand its restoration and policy reform work in the wake of the BP oil disaster. Ocean Conservancy's commitment was highlighted on stage at the opening session of the CGI annual meeting.  Vikki Spruill, Ocean Conservancy President and CEO, was joined on stage by Philippe Cousteau, co-founder and CEO of EarthEcho International and Ocean Conservancy board member,  as he unveiled EarthEcho's STREAM (STudents Reporting Environmental Action through Media) youth citizen journalist program.

"This week's declaration that the Macondo well is 'dead' ends only the first chapter of the BP oil disaster. The Clinton Global Initiative has a proud record of advancing solutions to some of the world's most challenging problems, and it is a key venue for consideration of the long-term restoration and reform initiatives that are urgently needed in the wake of the spill," said Ms. Spruill.

"Ocean Conservancy's restoration and reform work is just beginning. Measuring the BP oil disaster's impact will take years, and fully restoring the Gulf will take decades. This tragedy must be a catalyst to change course. We owe it to Gulf communities to restore livelihoods, habitat, fish and wildlife to the region, and to reform policies to ensure the mistakes that led to this disaster are never repeated," concluded Ms. Spruill.

Ocean Conservancy's CGI commitment will expand its work with Gulf communities to shape restoration planning and ensure the sustained commitment required by government and the responsible parties.  Nationally, Ocean Conservancy will seek reforms that will result in coordinated, science- and ecosystem-based ocean governance, as well as dedicated funding for understanding, managing, and conserving marine resources. Ocean Conservancy will engage the public through its International Coastal Cleanup program and its work with stakeholders.

About Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, including Alaska, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers. www.oceanconservancy.org

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)

Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 125 current and former heads of state, 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,700 commitments valued at $57 billion, which have already improved the lives of 220 million people in more than 170 countries. The 2010 CGI Annual Meeting will take place from September 20-23, 2010, in New York City. The CGI community also includes CGI University (CGI U), a forum to engage college students in global citizenship, MyCommitment.org, an online portal where anybody can make a Commitment to Action, and CGI Lead, which engages a select group of young leaders from business, government, and civil society. For more information, visit www.clintonglobalinitiative.org.

SOURCE Ocean Conservancy