Ocean Summit Sounds Alarm: Seas in Crisis
Global leaders convene in France to address urgent threats to marine environments.
An emergency facing the world’s oceans is the focus of a gathering of heads of state,scientists,and policymakers in Nice,France. The third United Nations ocean summit aims to tackle critical issues threatening marine life and ecosystems.
Urgent Call to Action
Research vessels have arrived in Nice, as over 3,000 scientists gathered to develop recommendations for policymakers. According to Jeff Ardron, Africa oceans director with The Nature Conservancy, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of ocean issues.
The multitude of problems include rising sea levels, pollution (especially plastics), overfishing, and the destruction of marine biodiversity. The conference commenced with remarks from former Secretary of State John Kerry.
“never has your knowledge and your expertise been more needed and more relevant than today, and never have we known the time where the life work of scientists is so openly scorned by those who claim to lead.”
–John Kerry, Former Secretary of State
U.S. Absence Noted
Noticeably absent were U.S. scientific agencies such as NASA and NOAA. According to organizers and scientists present, their scientists were not permitted to attend. Lisa Levin, a professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, expressed concern over this absence.
She noted that NOAA’s long-term observations, vital to the global scientific community, are at risk. NOAA provides climate data, forecasts, and research, essential for understanding and predicting changes in weather, climate, oceans, and coasts.
International Cooperation Is Key
Francois Houllier, CEO of Ifremer, the French marine science institute, emphasized the necessity of international cooperation. He cited the 4,000 floats that record ocean temperatures at all depths as a critical example.
These floats relay data via satellite, which is crucial for climate and weather predictions. The U.S. manages approximately half of these floats. The future of U.S. contributions to this global program remains uncertain.
Coastal Mayors Unite
Over the weekend, a local band welcomed 450 mayors from coastal towns threatened by rising seas. These mayors came from Pacific islands and Norwegian fjord towns. LaToya Cantrell, the mayor of New Orleans, stated that her city is on the front line of climate change.
“Coming together at events like this,it helps you push for stronger collaboration and partnerships that we need to even demonstrate to the people of the United States that this is real.”
–LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New orleans
Scientists emphasize that immediate action is required to protect the oceans. Oceans cover over 70% of the planet and are vital for its survival. According to the World Meteorological Organization, sea levels have risen by approximately 3-4 mm per year over the past decade, posing a significant threat to coastal communities WMO, 2023.
