Oceans: source of life.

The oceans are the origin of life and are what allow it to continue to exist, as they are the largest habitat on the planet and are fundamental in the regulation of the climate due to their role in the global temperature balance and as a carbon dioxide sink. The ocean provides us with livelihoods, being the main source of sustenance for more than a billion people, while the industries linked to it generate jobs for around 40 million people.

The ocean provides more than half of the oxygen we breathe and is a major factor in our ability to respond to the planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

But its capacity to fulfill all these functions is being limited as a result of human activity, including unsustainable use of marine and terrestrial resources, inadequate disposal of polluting waste, and ultimately, the massive emission of greenhouse gases.

Global warming is causing sea temperatures to reach unprecedented levels, resulting in stronger and more frequent storms; water levels are rising as a result of normal expansion due to temperature, but also due to melting glaciers and ice sheets, increasing the risk of flooding in small island countries and in many of the world's major coastal cities.

High temperatures also threaten the most fragile forms of life and alter the food chain, from krill to penguins and seals. This phenomenon is compounded by acidification due to CO2 absorption, which negatively affects the capacity of essential species such as coral reefs, shellfish and pteropods to form their develop.

The balance of marine ecosystems and biodiversity has also been severely affected by unsustainable fishing practices, including overfishing, destructive fishing and irregular, unreported fishing, as well as unsustainable tourism and maritime transportation practices.

A fourth serious threat to the oceans is litter generated by waste dumped at sea, of which plastics account for 85% but includes other equally destructive elements such as ghost nets - fishing nets that have been abandoned - and fuel remains.

On June 8, World Ocean Day was celebrated with the theme "Revitalization: Collective action for the oceans". Similarly, during the week of June 27 to July 1, the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2022) was held in Lisbon. Meetings and activities take place around the theme "Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the achievement of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions", with the participation of representatives of governments, international organisms and non-governmental organizations.

The UNOC agenda includes discussions in plenary meetings of government representatives on the threats facing the oceans, the urgency of promoting and strengthening ocean-based economies, combating marine pollution, protecting, conserving and restoring marine ecosystems, and pursuing the sustainable use of resources through the application of international law.

Discussions and action have as a reference goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals: "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources" and take advantage of the interrelationships between that and other goals for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda to combat hunger and poverty, generate jobs and act in favor of climate, among other purposes.

In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out the threats to the oceans and underlined the seriousness of some of them. He mentioned that about 80% of sewage is discharged into the sea without treatment, and that 8 million tons of plastic waste reach the oceans every year. He expressed some optimism about the progress being made in the development of international law instruments to address these problems:

·??????This year the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is celebrated.

·??????Negotiations are underway for a legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

·??????A new treaty is also being negotiated to address the global crisis of plastics floating in the oceans.

·??????In the same week the UNOC 2022 takes place, members of the World Trade Organization concluded an agreement to curb subsidies that harm fish stocks and damage the marine environment.

Adding to these developments in the field of law is the United Nations proclamation in 2021 of the Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) that seeks to "support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean."

Notwithstanding, he acknowledged that the actions needed to rescue the oceans remain numerous and urgent. In the case of plastics, he noted that "without drastic action, this plastic could outweigh all the fish in the oceans by 2050".

The Secretary General concluded his speech with four recommendations for government representatives:

·??????Urged all stakeholders to invest in sustainable ocean economies for food, renewable energy and livelihoods.

·??????Adopt the ocean as a model for how we can manage the global commons, which means preventing and reducing marine pollution of all kinds, both land-based and maritime.

·??????Protect the oceans, and the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on them, from the impacts of climate change.

·??????Incorporate more science and innovation "to drive a new chapter of global action on the oceans."

Governments, international organisms and non-governmental organizations are the main subjects that can respond to these calls, but this does not exclude the participation of companies and society through actions that reflect an individual and collective awareness of our responsibility to contribute to stop and reverse the damage to the environment in general and to the oceans in particular.

Some actions involve a certain level of political activism and their results may not be visible in the short term, for example, demanding comprehensive waste management from local authorities, demanding wastewater treatment in the city or municipality, or demanding that industries have risk prevention and waste management programs.

The exercise of these requirements is supported by the development of national or local regulations and by international commitments adopted by governments. In this sense, it is important to monitor and demand that the authorities comply with such commitments and report on their implementation in a timely manner. Of course, this requires a level of politization that is reflected even in the election of authorities.

On the other hand, some actions that we can take immediately and promote among our closest circles and community are:

·??????Choose sustainably caught fish -check labeling- or farmed fish.

·??????Avoid products with excessive plastic packaging and, definitely, avoid single-use plastics.

·??????Choose ocean-friendly products, such as biodegradable sunscreens, among many others.

·??????Conserve water. Use less water so that excess runoff and sewage does not flow into the ocean.

·??????Reduce energy consumption and polluting emissions.

·??????On vacations, use the services of companies and people committed to protecting the environment and who are observant of regulations and good practices.

·??????Clean and help keep beaches clean.

·??????Do not buy items or accessories made from materials obtained from endangered species, such as corals, turtles or sharks.

Every action counts, but if we feel that our participation is insufficient, we can always consider joining an organization that works for the protection of the oceans, volunteering to clean beaches or even planting trees, which helps to reduce the amount of pollutants that travel into the sea.

Let's take care of the ocean and it will continue to take care of us. As the UN Secretary General said at the conclusion of his keynote address at UNOC 2022, "the ocean takes us anywhere."

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At 2°Much! we strive to restore the health of the planet through projects in favor of ecosystems and we want to help you assume your climate responsibility by taking action against climate change. To get to know us, click here, explore our website and follow us on social media.