Environmental Defense Fund
San Francisco, California, USA
June 17 to August 21, 2024

At EDF, Melissa is working on part of a project aimed at developing a strategy to ensure that ocean carbon dioxide removal (oCDR) research is conducted safely and effectively. The project focuses on making informed decisions based on a thorough analysis of oCDR’s effectiveness, uncertainties, social and ecological risks, and associated costs. An essential aspect of this process is identifying key actors and influencers and understanding the actions they must take to achieve these outcomes. This information will be used to develop a strategy and inform a campaign to pass legislation that establishes a governance regime for oCDR research, development, and deployment.

Melissa’s role in this project involves conducting literature reviews and interviews to identify these key actors and influencers. Her responsibilities include researching and identifying key policymakers and stakeholders in the oCDR space, conducting informational interviews or mapping exercises to determine their positions, interests, and influencers, and working with experts to devise engagement strategies for securing support for federal legislation.