Policy makers and managers could
use the index to guide decision making — for example, about whether offshore wind
energy should be
expanded in the U.S., whether land or ocean conservation measures will benefit coral reefs in Fiji and how marine - zoning plans in Brazil might affect
overall ocean health.
Between 1990 and 2016, the increase in CO2 emissions corresponded with increased
energy use by an
expanding economy and population, an
overall growth in emissions from electricity generation, and increased demand for travel.