Side Event on the Ocean

Special Ocean Side Event on the Ocean

One Planet, One Ocean: Knowing our Ocean Protecting our Marine Treasures Empowering Ocean Citizens 20 June 2012, 09.00-10.30 Venue: T Building, Room T-9, RioCentro “Even if you never have a chance to see or touch the ocean, the ocean touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume. Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea” – Sylvia Earle The ocean, our common heritage, covers over 70% of the globe’s surface. The ocean shapes the Earth’s climate and influences the distribution of ecosystems, biodiversity, and thus food availability across the globe. This single, contiguous body of water is crucial to human life. Yet, despite the scientific research promoted via international cooperation over the past 50 years, the ocean remains relatively unexplored.

Moving towards sustainable development of the ocean requires strengthening global scientific efforts to fully comprehend and protect coastal and marine environmental health, to conserve biological diversity, and to mitigate the impacts of ocean threats. Sound ocean management requires developing the appropriate tools and mechanism to protect ocean resources and biodiversity while sustaining livelihoods that are compatible with healthy ecosystems.

The transition towards such a blue‐green approach will require a shift in human behaviour which can only be instrumented through ocean education and awareness‐ raising leading to the emergence of a true ‘ocean citizenship’.

Panel Speakers: Irina Bokova, Director‐General of UNESCO H.E. Minister Villy Søvndal, Foreign Minister of Denmark Michel Jarraud, Secretary‐General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Patricia Miloslavich, Marine Biologist (Census of Marine Life) Clayton Lino, Mata Atlantica Coastal and Marine Biosphere Reserve, Brazil Frauke Fleischer‐Dogley, Aldabra Atoll World Heritage Site, Seychelles Romain Troublé, Secretary General and Manager of Tara Oceans Gillian Cambers, Co‐director of Sandwatch Foundation Jean‐Michel Cousteau, President of Ocean Future Event Facilitator: Wendy Watson‐Wright, IOC Executive Secretary

In partnership with: © Joe Bunni

THEMES TO BE ADDRESSED AT THE SIDE EVENT A number of initiatives that support the Rio+20 ocean targets leading to the sustainable use of the ocean will be presented and discussed. The side event will be structured around three inter‐connected themes:

Knowing our Ocean How can science and technology be at the service of coastal nations to manage ocean and coastal resources sustainably, protect their coastal populations, and maintain ecosystem services? Much of the ocean remains unexplored and many ocean characteristics are still unknown, although knowledge is the first step toward sustainable use of the ocean. We cannot protect and preserve what we do not know. This theme will stress the importance of science and observation for the sustainable management of the ocean. It will focus on the importance of observing systems, data collection and monitoring. It will also consider how science and early warning systems can help coastal communities to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change and coastal hazards. Ocean and freshwater linkages will be examined, particularly in developing strategies to cope with natural disasters at the sea/land interface.

Protecting our Marine Treasures How can we better preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the ocean and coasts and the essential services they provide to society? Appropriate tools and mechanisms are needed to protect and conserve marine and coastal resources for future generations, whether natural, cultural or aesthetic. This theme will focus on the importance of marine protected areas (MPAs) and ongoing efforts to identify and protect some of the richest marine environments, consolidate coastal ecosystems, and develop new relationships between people and the ocean so that we can continue to appreciate the beauty and the bounty of our seas. Forty‐five marine areas are currently inscribed on the World Heritage List for their exceptional natural features. Together, they cover 1/3 of the total surface of all MPAs on the planet and they include five of the world's largest MPA's.

Empowering Ocean Citizens

Contact Details: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, Paris, France Wendy Watson‐Wright (w.watson‐wright@unesco.org) –Executive Secretary IOC Julian Barbière (j.barbiere@unesco.org) Tel: +33 145683983

© Tara Oceans, © Joe Bunni, © Joe Bunni

How do we empower ocean citizens and society? Effective ocean stewardship requires the participation of all members of society in defining a common ocean future and in promoting behavioural change towards the ocean. The ocean is our common heritage and it is important to not only raise awareness on those issues but also to empower those who can act to protect the ocean. Focusing on training, decision‐making skills, team building, fund‐raising and cooperation is essential.

Sustainable use cannot be attained without the support of empowered coastal communities. This final segment will provide an opportunity to deepen existing cooperation on ocean awareness, education and advocacy.