Ocean Climate Solutions Analysis Intern

The Environmental Defense Fund is seeking an Ocean Climate Solutions Analysis Intern in Raleigh, NC. The intern will assist in analyzing ocean-based climate solutions, conducting landscape analyses, performing literature reviews, and creating strategic documents. This role supports EDF's efforts to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable practices. Candidates should be enrolled in or recent graduates of a graduate degree program, with a focus on environmental issues.
EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

Program/Department Overview

The ocean is a lifeline for billions of people globally, providing essential nutrients, livelihoods, and economic opportunities. Yet climate change and overfishing are rapidly degrading marine ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, the safety of coastal communities, and global food security. That’s why EDF’s Fisheries & Oceans team is working to safeguard the ocean and protect nature, while feeding the planet, creating more secure livelihoods, and bolstering more equitable societies for human well-being. Through our programs in the U.S., Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region, we draw on strong science and economic principles to advance sustainable ocean practices, forward-looking policies and innovative tools that support the health of our ocean and the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods.

Overall Function

The intern will play a key role in helping deepen EDF’s engagement in the rapidly growing space of ocean-based climate solutions This includes everything from natural climate solutions, such as protecting the carbon that is already stored in coastal wetlands and other blue carbon ecosystems, to technologies requiring significant human intervention, including engineered carbon capture and storage systems, artificial fertilization of the ocean with iron or other nutrients, and the addition of minerals to change the chemical properties of seawater. . The intern will help conduct a landscape analysis of the field, advance components of a strategic plan, and assist with other research and document preparation that will serve as a foundation for defining and executing on ocean-based climate solutions as a pathway to climate mitigation. The Intern will report to the Ocean-Climate Solutions lead and collaborate with other EDF Fisheries & Oceans Staff.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks will include but are not limited to:
• Conduct a landscape analysis of ocean climate projects happening around the globe, noting their geographic distribution and the main players driving them (governments, universities, private sector etc.).
• Perform literature reviews on issues that are relevant in driving science to action on ocean climate solutions, such as community engagement considerations, the role of carbon markets, relevant national and international policies etc.
• Support in creating documents, briefs, reports etc. to advance development of a strategic plan that outlines EDF’s role, goals and activities on the topic.
• Prepare visuals and presentation materials for EDF to use in describing our existing and future work on ocean climate solutions.
• Engage with other EDF staff working at the ocean climate nexus to coordinate efforts.
• Participate in team and project meetings to communicate progress.
• Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Qualifications
• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of a graduate degree program with a demonstrated interest in environmental science, ocean science, environmental policy and/or a related field.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.

Location

Option to be U.S. remote or hybrid out of an EDF office in Washington, DC, Boston, MA or Raleigh, NC. Intern supervisor is in Washington, DC.

Term

Summer 2025 (10-12 weeks)

Hours

Full-time (35 hr/week)

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $20/hr.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.

Learn more about internships at EDF -http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships