Save the date: The UN Ocean Decade - the science we need for the ocean we want
At the start of the Ocean Decade - what the decade for the oceans is about.
Kick-off event on 1 June.
Our oceans are in an increasingly deteriorated state. Nevertheless, the global population continues to treat them with negligence – plastic input, chemical dumping, eutrophication, warming, acidification and, above all, systematic overfishing threaten the populations of fish, corals, marine mammals and invertebrates. Consequently, millions of livelihoods on land are also under threat.
To halt the global failure in exercising our duty of care, the United Nations launched the Ocean Decade 2021-2030 in December 2017. It aims to bridge the "missing link" between scientific findings and political management, between the laws of the high seas and the livelihoods of individuals on land, between new technology and traditional knowledge. In short: it is designed to promote the sustainable management of the ocean, involving as many stakeholders as possible. Elasmocean will also participate and, through science-based educational work, contribute to raising awareness in society.
There has never been such a large-scale global endeavour.
On 1 June 2021, the Ocean Decade goes online: the Kick-Off Event will take place at 11:00 CEST as part of the First International Ocean Decade Conference.
At the beginning, you will be taken on a virtual journey across the seas, where current research and conservation projects will be presented. Afterwards, numerous high-level scientists, decision-makers and ministers will be guided through the programme by Ranga Yogeshwar and BBC presenter David Eades. Among others, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, Federal Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek and the director of the Alfred Wegener Institute Antje Boetius will present the vision and goals of the decade. The entire programme will be conducted in English.
All interested parties are invited to attend the start of this mammoth task. Registration is available here: https://events.oceandecade-conference.com/high-level/preregistration
Further information is available at: https://ozeandekade.de
The objectiveness of the Ocean Decade in detail:
A clean ocean – marine pollution must be better understood to be effectively mitigated.
A resilient ocean - how must an ocean be structured so that its ecosystems can adapt to changing conditions?
A productive ocean - sustainable management strategies are required so that the oceans can continue to provide us with vital resources in the future.
A predictable ocean - to comprehend ocean processes and interactions with the atmosphere, robust knowledge and reliable observation systems are required.
A safe ocean - coastal systems act as breakwaters, protecting against erosion. To react to hazards in the future, understanding from the general public and policymakers is essential.
An accessible ocean - knowledge of the oceans must be equitably distributed globally so that all benefit.
An inspiring ocean - the relationship between humans and the ocean needs to shift, through awareness-raising, from ignorance and exploitation to inspiration and fascination.
We anticipate a structured decade full of opportunity for a healthy future.
Let us make waves together.
