New York: On World Oceans Day, June 8, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged governments, businesses, investors, scientists, and communities to unite in defense of the oceans. Highlighting the theme “Awaken New Depths” for 2024, Guterres emphasized the critical role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth and the urgent need to address the threats they face.
Oceans Under Threat
“The ocean sustains and enhances all life on Earth. But our ocean is in trouble, and we only have ourselves to blame,” Guterres stated. He cited climate change as a major culprit, causing rising sea levels that threaten small island states and coastal populations. Additionally, record sea temperatures are triggering extreme weather events worldwide.
Guterres pointed to ocean acidification as a key issue, which is destroying coral reefs, disrupting food chains, and harming tourism and local economies. Unsustainable coastal development, overfishing, deep-sea mining, unchecked pollution, and plastic waste are further damaging marine ecosystems globally.
Glimmers of Hope
Despite these challenges, Guterres noted some positive developments. Last year, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This treaty focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, marking a significant step in ocean governance.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, offering another opportunity to protect our oceans. A recent opinion by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea called on nations to take measures to reduce, control, and prevent marine pollution caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Future Commitments
Guterres highlighted upcoming events as critical moments for action, including this year’s Summit of the Future and next year’s UN Oceans Conference in France. These gatherings provide platforms for committing to the restoration and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.
“On World Oceans Day, let’s heed this year’s theme and awaken new depths of action for our ocean,” Guterres urged.
The Importance of Oceans
The ocean covers over 70% of the planet, produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, and is home to most of Earth’s biodiversity. It is also the primary protein source for over a billion people and a key economic driver, with ocean-based industries expected to employ 40 million people by 2030.
Earlier this week, UNESCO released a State of the Ocean report, urging policymakers to consider “the ocean we need for the future we want.” The report highlighted threats to the ocean, including the doubling rate of ocean warming over the past 20 years and decreasing oxygen levels affecting coastal species.
One of the report’s conclusions emphasized the importance of ocean literacy, suggesting that education and research are vital for optimizing resources, accelerating behavioral change, and improving ocean conservation and sustainability efforts.
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