July 2024
THROWBACK TO …
The OCP celebrated its 10th anniversary at UNESCO HQ!
On the 4th of July, the Ocean & Climate Platform, in partnership with UNESCO Ocean , brought together the ocean community at UNESCO headquarters to celebrate 10 years of action for the ocean, climate and biodiversity. Nearly 150 participants, representing OCP members and partners, gathered for this unique occasion. The event built on a retrospective on the history of the OCP since its launch on 8 June 2014, major victories for the ocean as well as the network's aspirations for the future of the ocean, particularly in the run-up to UNOC 3 and as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences. A key message to remember: we won't give up!
🎥 Explore a decade of ocean action and victories through our dedicated article and video!
High-Level Event on Ocean Action: Immersed in Change
On 7-8 June, the Ocean & Climate Platform attended the High Level Event on Ocean Action: Immersed In Change organised by the Government of Costa Rica. The OCP, its members and partners were highly mobilised to build momentum for the ocean towards UNOC 2025.
The OCP co-organised 3 side-events:
June United Nations Climate Meetings (SB60) in Bonn
From the 3rd to 12th of June, the Ocean & Climate Platform was in Bonn, Germany, to take part in the intersessionals of UN Climate Change . The OCP participated in numerous events, including meetings organised by the High-Level Climate Champions , as part as the OCP's role of Focal Point for the Ocean & Coastal Zones group of the Marrakech Partnership, and in the Ocean and Climate Dialogue. Discover the statements of the OCP in the recordings of Day 1 and Day 2 of the conference, and the synthesis report below.
The City of Venice signs the Sea’ties Declaration !
On June 7th, the Mayor of Venice, Mr. Luigi Brugnaro, signed the Sea’ties Declaration on board of the Fondation Tara Océan schooner, thereby joining 40 mayors and governors of coastal cities and territories. A year ahead of UNOC3 and the launch of the Ocean Rise and Resilience Coalition, Venice sends a strong signal to the international community to accelerate global action on sea level rise adaptation.
PUBLICATION
Synthesis report of the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue (2024)
The Ocean & Climate Platform and Ocean Conservancy , in partnership with Conservation International , The Nature Conservancy , Rare , Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and WWF , are publishing for the fourth consecutive year a synthesis report of the Ocean & Climate Dialogue held on the 11th and 12th of June 2024, as part of the Bonn Climate Conference (or SBSTA 60). The formal report of the Dialogue will be published by the UNFCCC Secretariat at a later stage.
NEWS & EVENTS
Registrations are open - IRD SCIENCE4ACTION Forum
07/10/2024 - Palais du Pharo - Marseille
The Institut de Recherche pour le Développement ( IRD ) will be celebrating 80 years of commitment, innovation and research at the international forum SCIENCE4ACTION. Registrations are now open to take part in this event which will bring together high-level international speakers - scientists, committed young professionals, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, representatives of international organisations, public institutions and civil society - to promote dialogue between research and development. Watch the teaser of the event here.
To register, click here.
News - Deep Sea multimedia feature with High Seas Alliance
The High Seas Alliance , Deep Sea Conservation Coalition , Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Oceans North have worked with BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions to produce a multimedia feature for the new online serie Blue Horizons. The article “Hidden World Beneath the Waves: Why the high seas must be protected?” is an immersive experience that takes the reader from the surface of the ocean miles into the murky depths and explores why this environment needs to be protected.
Read the article here.
Initiative - Broad-based citizen science
The German Ocean Foundation has launched a broad-based citizen science initiative in collaboration with SSI Scuba Schools International , ESRAG - Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group , EMODnet and the German Sailing Association. It aims to encourage water sports enthusiasts to collect ocean data in a simple but high-quality form for international scientists to access. The ALDEBARAN will be deployed in the Mediterranean Sea for various projects from 2025 to 2026 in line with UNOC3. Reach out to [email protected] for possible collaborations.
THROWBACK TO …
Bring it All Together for the Ocean
On World Ocean Day, the Friends of Ocean Action launched the "Bring It All Together" campaign. Initiated ahead of UNOC3 and aiming at encouraging synergies between all stakeholders involved in ocean protection, the campaign focuses on four activation threads: ocean-climate, protecting the high seas, Blue Foods, and marine pollution.
To find out more, click here.
The Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) was at the Immersed in Change Conference
During Immersed In Change, the IRD organised a round table on the proliferation of sargassum in the tropical Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea). Five scientists from different regions addressed topics ranging from socio-economic impacts to sargassum management, including observation using satellite images, modelling as a forecasting method, and the importance of the legal status of sargassum.
Read the IRD article here.
The High Seas Alliance octopus in 3D at Immersed in Change
The High Seas Alliance collaborated with Carlos Hiller, a Costa Rican artist deeply committed to preserving the marine environment, for Immersed in Change. The artist depicted the Alliance's symbolic octopus, Octavia, on a 3D canvas. This work is intended to underline the importance of signing and ratifying the High Seas Treaty as a crucial step towards safeguarding the ocean.
For more information, click here.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Briefing: Biodiversity plan and BBNJ agreement - High Seas Alliance
This report looks at the synergies between the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in terms of capacity building and marine technology transfer. The briefing is published by Post-2020 and co-authored by the High Seas Alliance and NOVA IPSI Knowledge Centre / The Nippon Foundation Ocean Voices Programme.
Read the report here.
AI and Improving the Blue Economy - The Ocean Foundation
This article published in the Journal of Ocean Technology covers the pros and cons of using AI for the Blue Economy. The Ocean Economy or Blue Economy aims to transition from harmful extraction industries to sustainable practices that promote economic growth and preserve marine ecosystems. Artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance this transition by enabling data-driven decision-making and promoting sustainability, but it also presents challenges such as job losses and environmental impacts. Addressing these challenges requires careful policy-making, investment in digital skills, and international cooperation to ensure equitable benefits and environmental protection.
Read the article here.
SOMETHING TO READ THIS MONTH …
Open access book - Threats to Our Ocean Heritage: Bottom Trawling
Published in Springer, this book explores the destruction of Ocean Heritage by bottom trawling, integrating natural and cultural perspectives to emphasise the importance of its heritage and threats. It discusses the international legal context, history, and ecological impact of bottom trawling, providing case studies and recommendations such as moratoriums in vulnerable, unprotected areas.
Read the book here.
TOOLS, VIDEOS AND INFOGRAPHICS
Defend The Deep - The Ocean Foundation
JOB OFFERS
Apply before: 19 July 2024. More information here.
Apply before: 26 July 2024. More information here.
Apply before 31 July 2024. More information here.
Change Manager
5moInteresting event.