Between California and Hawai’i, I grew up in a family of ocean lovers who spend much of their free time surfing, fishing and diving. I honed in on my personal connection with the sea to pursue a career in ocean protection.
I received my Bachelor of Science from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and my JD from the Georgetown University Law Center, where I focused on international and environmental law. Related to environmental protection and marine resource management, I’ve worked for: T.C. Hoffmann & Associates, Global Exchange/the Green Festivals, the Environmental Integrity Project, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of General Council for International Law. I also have experience working on international security issues with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Science Applications International Corporation, the U.S. Department of Defense and related entities.
I also enjoy: running a non-profit that throws parties for social and environmental causes (Partycorps.org), surfing, hiking, biking, yoga, camping, listening to music, and dancing.
Posted April 30, 2013 by Leila Monroe
Late yesterday, after a marathon hearing of the California Assembly Natural Resource Committee, Assembly Bill 521, known as the Marine Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act, received enough “aye” votes – from committee members Chesbro, Muratsuchi, Stone, Skinner and Williams –...continued→
Posted April 15, 2013 by Leila Monroe in Curbing Pollution, Living Sustainably, Reviving the World's Oceans
On April 16 we celebrate California Oceans Day, an annual event when ocean lovers and leaders from across the state come together to advocate for healthier oceans. This year, we’re focusing on solutions to the growing problem of plastic pollution...continued→
Posted February 21, 2013 by Leila Monroe in Environmental Justice, Living Sustainably, Reviving the World's Oceans, U.S. Law and Policy
Experience and scientific study both reveal that plastic now pollutes the farthest reaches of the world’s oceans. From the deep seabed of the Arctic, to once-pristine coasts – from the local riverside parks to distant islands – globally, we produce...continued→
Posted November 1, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Costa Rica is often applauded for its progressive environmental policies and peaceful democracy. I know it as a Mecca of sustainable tourism and perfect surf breaks. Yet the brutal, enormously profitable shark fin trade has prospered in Costa Rica’s waters...continued→
Posted August 29, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans
One city and county at a time, millions of Californians have taken a stand to help stop plastic bags from polluting our beaches, clogging our creeks, killing marine life and burdening tax payers and local governments. Nearly one third of...continued→
Posted July 10, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans
It’s been a big couple of months for sharks. Last week -- in-part due to the hard work of NRDC's Chicago team -- a fifth U.S. state took a strong stand to protect sharks when Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed...continued→
Posted June 22, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Curbing Pollution, Living Sustainably, Reviving the World's Oceans
What do mushrooms, tires, and soda bottles have in common? They are all being used, recycled or even upcycled through innovative programs that prevent waste from entering the environment. Despite some disappointments in the formal negotiations process, the UN Conference...continued→
Posted June 19, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans
At the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, action happens on two tracks. On the “inside track”, representatives of governments meet over the course of many months to negotiate the official outcome document. Today, after grueling negotiations that lasted until...continued→
Posted June 16, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Curbing Pollution, Reviving the World's Oceans
What we do on land dramatically affects the health of our oceans. There is no better example of that fact than Jardim Gramacho, one of the largest garbage dumps in the world, located in Rio de Janeiro and built on...continued→
Posted June 8, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans
June 8 is World Oceans Day, and I’m thrilled to celebrate it from Rio de Janeiro, where I’ve just arrived for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. 50,000 people are expected to visit in the coming two weeks for this...continued→
Posted May 29, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans
The world’s environmental problems can seem overwhelming, but I often find hope and inspiration in local victories. Local victories, when aggregated, can lead to major global change by informing, motivating and spurring action from leaders the world over. An excellent...continued→
Posted March 27, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Curbing Pollution, Reviving the World's Oceans
Today, I had the great pleasure to work with Kyra Sedgwick on the launch of a new worldwide campaign: a Global Call to End Plastic Pollution. We started the day on MSNBC’s Morning Joe (watch us below) and will end...continued→
Posted March 21, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
In the past month a number of U.S. states -- including New York and Illinois --have taken important steps to join the ranks of Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and California by banning the trade of shark fins. On February 21st, New...continued→
Posted February 7, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Moving Beyond Oil, Reviving the World's Oceans, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming
Credit: The Toronto Zoo A cuddly ball of white fur is rolling around the Toronto Zoo this week, as zoo keepers introduced their new polar bear cub to the public on Friday. The cub—which was born prematurely and rejected...continued→
Posted January 5, 2012 by Leila Monroe in Reviving the World's Oceans
From stopping offshore oil spills to saving sharks; from protecting the oceans most special places to tackling ocean trash: 2011 was a busy year in the fight to protect the world’s cceans. Reflecting on some of the major ocean events...continued→
Switchboard is the staff blog of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the nation’s most effective environmental group. For more about our work, including in-depth policy documents, action alerts and ways you can contribute, visit NRDC.org.
