A Message to the Peoples and Nations of the World On Behalf of the Ocean
(On the occasion of a celebration for the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission/UNESCO, June 08, 2010)
For generations the ocean has been regarded as massive, impenetrable and invulnerable. This is a false concept that can no longer be accepted with impunity. Relatively it is not massive, together with the land surface and atmosphere it forms only a thin skin between the thousands of kilometres of rock and magnum beneath and the infrnity of space above. It is a planetary meniscus on which our present environment and our lives depend. Secondly it is no longer impenetrable; today a growing fraction of our mineral resources comes from beneath the sea floor. Our automated instruments are scattered jn the ocean waters across the globe. Researchers are now reaching into the depths, and uncovering some of its secrets, although results suggest that these are merely harbingers of what is still unknown. Finally the ocean is not invulnerable. The wastes of our society, flowing from the land, and through the atmosphere, from agriculture, industry and a growing urban population can be seen in the fragile coastal waters and measured even in the centre of the water masses.
However, the context for this message to the world should not be one of doom. Thankfully our ocean is still vital; its life, beauty and power still amaze us. We can, and should, celebrate and recognize the importance of the ocean to the culture, economy and well-being of our society. But the ocean does deserve our attention. As a society we must collectively and unambiguously acknowledge the importance of the oceans to our existence on the planet. The ocean cleanses the air we breathe; it influences our weather, climate, and the water on which we depend. We must be aware of the changes we bring to the ocean and the consequences of our actions. For this we require information and the knowledge, insight and determination to use that information collectively and wisely.
We have a responsibility to our children, their children and their children's children. Our legacy must be a sustainable and healthy environment. It is a responsibility that transcends national, political and social differences. As one, we are the people of the Earth and we must act together to protect and perpetuate the environment on which we depend.
The attached call on behalf of the ocean is a plea to all for an adequate and responsive recognition of the importance of the ocean.
"...I must go down to the seas again/fur the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied...."
John Masefield (1878 – 1967)
The Ocean Call
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To the peoples of the world, we ask for recognition that the oceans and their resources are a necessary element of life on the planet. We also ask that you respect the ocean and understand that actions and activities even deep within continents can impact the marine environment. Governmental responses can be ponderous but ultimately they must reflect the will and priorities of their constituencies. The ocean deserves your support. To those who finance and undertake capacity building programs, we ask that increased priority be given to programs in coastal and ocean management, ocean sciences and ocean technologies in order to provide safe, healthy and sustainable environments and reduce poverty through the promotion of effective and efficient marine stewardship. To the scientists in all ocean disciplines, we ask that you continue your dedication to gather and interpret marine data, to inform the public and decision-makers of the results of your studies and to maintain a collegiate and multidisciplinary community. To the extensive framework of learned professionals and environmental lobbyists in academia, industry, politics and law and to all those who have achieved leading positions and authoritative voices in our society, we ask that you will use your position and influence to further the support and attention needed to sustain and preserve our ocean environment. To the media, whose role it is to inform our largely terrestrial society of the news and events of interest and importance, we ask that you recognise the ocean as an integral part of our environment and of our society. From tourism to trade, from energy to food, from high finance to indigenous fisheries and from megacities to mangrove habitats, there is a story with an ocean connection that needs telling. To governments, we ask that you address the present deficiencies in the support of the marine environment. Nationally, to ensure that ocean research is adequately funded, that the infrastructure to distribute ocean information is in place, that sustainable marine management practices are fostered and that terrestrial and atmospheric policies take account of potential impacts on the ocean. Internationally, we ask you to adopt as a premise that sustaining the global environment remains the ultimate priority and that national differences must be overcome in working collectively for the future. To the youth, we make the final and perhaps the most important request. We ask that you listen and learn, that you profit from the advances that we have achieved and avoid the mistakes that we have committed. You are the future. The ocean needs your enthusiasm, creativity and ability as scientists, managers, Iawyers and politicians to champion its cause and to sustain its splendour and resources for generations to come. |