Save the date: The UN Ocean Decade - the science we need for the ocean we want
At the beginning of the Ocean Decade - what the decade for the seas is about.
Kick-off event on 1 June.
Our oceans are in an increasingly poor condition. Nevertheless, the global population continues to treat them with negligence – plastic input, dumping of chemicals, eutrophication, warming, acidification and, above all, systematic overfishing threaten populations of fish, corals, marine mammals and invertebrates. Consequently, millions of livelihoods on land are also under threat.
To halt the global failure of our duty of care, the United Nations launched the Ocean Decade 2021-2030 in December 2017. It is designed to bridge the gaps, the "missing link" between scientific findings and political management, between the laws of the high seas and small-scale livelihoods on land, between new technology and traditional knowledge. In short: it aims to promote the sustainable management of the ocean, involving as many stakeholders as possible. ElasmOcean will also be present, contributing to increased public awareness through evidence-based educational work.
Never before has there been such a major global effort.
On 1 June 2021, the Ocean Decade goes online: the kick-off event starts at 11:00 am our time as part of the I. 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 program by Ranga Yogeshwar and BBC presenter David Eades. Among others, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, Federal Minister of Education Anja Karliczek and the Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Antje Boetius, will present the visions and goals of the decade. The entire program is in English.
Anyone interested is cordially invited to attend the launch of this monumental task. Registration is possible here: https://events.oceandecade-conference.com/high-level/preregistration
More information at: https://ozeandekade.de
The goals of the Ocean Decade in detail:
A clean ocean – marine pollution must be better understood in order to be effectively mitigated.
A resilient ocean - what must an ocean look like so that its ecosystems can adapt to changing conditions?
A productive ocean - sustainable management strategies are needed so that the oceans can continue to provide us with vital resources in the future.
A predictable ocean - in order to understand the processes in the ocean and its interactions with the atmosphere, we require robust scientific knowledge and reliable observation systems.
A safe ocean - coastal systems serve as barriers and protect us from erosion. To ensure we can respond to hazards in the future, we need understanding from the general public and policymakers.
An accessible ocean - knowledge about the oceans must be better distributed globally so that everyone can benefit from it.
An inspiring ocean - the relationship between humans and the ocean must change through awareness, moving from ignorance and exploitation to inspiration and fascination.
We look forward with anticipation to a decade of opportunity for a healthy future.
Let's make waves together!
