The vast volume of the ocean and its complex coastlines are neither fully observed nor adequately understood. The Decade of Ocean Science will encourage actions towards a more integrated and sustainable ocean observing system to facilitate ocean discovery and environmental monitoring. And finally, the UN system and coastal states have a unique chance to seriously collaborate in multi-stakeholder processes to advance maritime spatial planning and effective ocean governance.Ī more integrated and sustainable ocean observing system Also, rich and poor nations are increasingly engaging in capacity development and resource sharing. First, there is a tremendous opportunity to connect ocean sciences more directly with societal actors by promoting integrated ocean observation and solution-oriented research agendas (Fig. I see reasons for optimism in four main areas. The ambition of the Decade of Ocean Science is to now use this gathering momentum to mobilize the scientific community, policy-makers, business, and civil society around a program of joint research and technological innovation 6. Moreover, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes an explicit ocean goal (SDG14) 3, 4 that led to the first-ever UN Ocean conference 5 to support its implementation. The final document from the Rio+20 summit, The future we want 1, made extensive reference to the ocean, and the Global Ocean Commission articulated the need for more effective global ocean policies 2. In the process, governments, industry, and scientists have raised awareness of the rapid degradation and over-use of the ocean. It is in this context that over the last few years, scientists and societal actors have organized a bottom-up movement, which has ultimately led to the United Nations General Assembly proclaiming a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Climate change, non-sustainable resource extraction, land-based pollution, and habitat degradation are threatening the productivity and health of the ocean (Fig. Doubling of the world population over the last 50 years, rapid industrial development, and growing human affluence are exerting increasing pressure on the ocean. Today, more than 40% of the global population lives in areas within 200 km of the ocean and 12 out of 15 mega cities are coastal. It provides us with basics such as food, materials, energy, and transportation, and we also enjoy the seascape for religious or recreational practices. It regulates our climate and holds vast and in some cases untouched resources.
The ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface.
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