On his 99^th birthday, Sir David Attenborough issued a powerful rallying cry to protect the oceans in the documentary OCEAN: “If we save the sea, we save ourselves”

In the film, Sir David delivers the sombre message that for too long people have taken the ocean for granted; impacting all ocean habitats with our actions and pushing species to the brink.

“Now we are facing the consequences: the seas are warming, rising, and becoming more acidic. It’s a sobering thought, that coral reefs may be lost within the next century,” he says.

The ocean is a powerhouse for climate and nature. The ocean and its rich ecosystems absorb massive amounts of heat, nurture economically important biodiversity, and store carbon in mangroves, seagrasses, and kelp forests, which also buffer coastal communities from extreme weather events. Ocean health is under pressure from unsustainable production and consumption, fuelled by global economic, social, and political systems.

The documentary features dramatic footage of the devastation caused by fishing practices including the devastation wreaked by bottom trawling on the seabed and its wildlife, as well as highlighting the wonder of natural habitats, from kelp forests to coral reefs, and the need to protect them.

The English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and writer Sir David stresses the importance of the world’s oceans and how they affect every living thing on Earth. Tt drives the weather and stabilises the climate and produce a significant portion of the air we breathe and the water and food we consume.

Sir David also offers a message of hope that, given the chance, the oceans can recover. “The ocean’s power of regeneration is remarkable – if we just offer it the chance. We are in reach of a whole new relationship with the ocean, a wiser, more sustainable relationship. The choice lies with us.” he says. “Nowhere is more powerful and unforgiving, yet more beautiful and endlessly fascinating than the ocean.”

GLOBAL CAMPAINS TO SUPPORT

For the sake of present and future generations, its vital to support campaigns that address the huge challenges facing the ocean and protect its biodiversity.

On reducing plastic pollution, campaign efforts aim to intercept plastic in rivers, clean up existing plastic in the ocean, and reduce plastic waste at the source.

On fighting overfishing, campaign efforts aim to establish marine protected areas, promote sustainable fishing practices, and stop harmful fishing subsidies.

On protecting marine habitats, campaign efforts aim to support the creation of marine reserves, restore damaged habitats, and advocate for policies that protect ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves.

On addressing climate change impacts, campaign efforts focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting ocean-based solutions to climate change.

On raising public awareness, campaign efforts aim to educate the public about the threats to oceans and encouraging individual actions to protect them.

Blue Marine Foundation: Works to protect ocean ecosystems, restore marine biodiversity, and promote sustainable fishing practices.

Greenpeace: Engages in various campaigns to address issues like overfishing, pollution, and climate change impacts on oceans.

Oceana: A large international advocacy organization focusing on science-based policies to protect oceans from threats like overfishing, plastic pollution, and habitat destruction.

Save Our Seas Foundation: Dedicated to protecting marine life, particularly sharks and rays, through research, conservation, and education.

Sea Shepherd: Known for direct action campaigns against illegal fishing, whaling, and other destructive practices.

Surfrider Foundation: Focuses on protecting oceans, waves, and beaches through grassroots efforts, policy advocacy, and hands-on activism.

The Clean Seas Campaign: A global initiative tackling marine litter and plastic pollution, encouraging individual action and using international laws to push for change.

Together for the Ocean: A global initiative focused on achieving the “30×30” target of protecting 30% of the world’s land, freshwater, and ocean by 2030.

The Ocean Cleanup: Develops and implements technologies to remove plastic from the ocean and prevent it from entering.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Implements the Nature-Positive Oceans initiative to halt and reverse nature loss.

RISKING OUR LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM

The ocean is our life support system, yet only 8% is designated as protected, and ocean threats are multiplying.

Today, our ocean is fragile and its ecosystem are being fractured, polluted and depleted.

Global warming has a significant impact on ocean temperature, causing it to rise and leading to serious consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The oceans absorb a large portion of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, resulting in increased ocean heat content and warming of the surface layers. This warming cause sea-level rise, changes in ocean currents and circulation patterns, and impacts on marine life.

Global sea surface temperatures reached new records between April 2023 and March 2024, exceeding all previous highs. The study led by Dr. Jens Terhaar of the Department of Climate and Environmental Physics at the Physics Institute of the University of Bern shows that the sharp rise in sea water temperature over the past two years is probably “a heatwave” that can be fully explained by known global and man-made warming trends.

The heatwave was only made possible by global warming. “Human-induced global warming is a major contributor to these prevailing climate conditions – without this warming, the event would be virtually impossible,” says Terhaar.

Today, the majority of the population is aware of climate change and many know that our demand from nature exceeds what our ecosystems can regenerate each year.  Yet, progress remains slow in addressing climate change and mitigating its adverse effects.

Turning climate pledges into action in a distracted and divided world requires a multifaceted approach that addresses individual actions, corporate responsibility, and global cooperation. It involves holding leaders accountable, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable practices across various sectors.

30% GOAL TO CONSERVE LAND AND SEAS

In December 2022, Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) with over 190 countries agreed to conserve 30% of Earth’s land and seas by 2030, known as the “30×30 initiative”.

This is also known as Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the  initiative that aims to address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss by protecting natural areas.

New data suggests that the world is falling short on the quality and coverage of protected and conserved areas. The Protected Planet Report 2024 reveals that 17.6% of land and inland waters and 8.4% of the ocean and coastal areas globally are within documented protected and conserved areas. Over the next six years, the global network will need to be urgently expanded by a further 12.4% on land and 21.6% in the ocean.

POWER OF OUR VOTE AND WALLET

Let us hold governments and companies accountable for their actions.

There is power in our vote. We need to vote for climate-aware candidates and demand climate action from our representatives that is in line with climate science

There is power in our wallet. We need to make informed decisions about where and how we invest and spend our money.

There is power in our lifestyle choice. Let us also do our part in living a lifestyle that respects planetary boundaries – the limits within which humanity can operate without causing irreversible harm to the Earth’s systems and its ability to support life.

Our lives and future generations will depend on it.

It must be NOW!