Climate change: the UN warns of the “state of emergency of the oceans”

This Monday, June 27, the UN organized a summit in Lisbon. This five-day conference brought together thousands of policy makers and experts to draw global attention to the fragility of the oceans and the dramatic consequences that derive from them.

“Cascade Effects”

Spread over more than two thirds of the earth’s surfacethe seas provide half the oxygen we breathe, as mentioned France 24. They absorb a quarter of the pollution CO₂ and play like that a central role in regulating the effects of climate change.

But in the past 60 years, this the absorption capacity was undermined from 50% increase in carbon dioxide emissions. The sea has also become more acid and suffered powerful heat waves. It upsets the aquatic food chainthat feeds billions of people every day.

“Unfortunately we take the ocean for granted. We are currently facing what I would call an oceanic state of emergency.

Our failure to preserve the ocean will have cascading effects. “

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.

Overfishing and plastic, scourge of the oceans

The problem of overfishing and plastic were at the center of the discussions at the summit.

Currently, microplastics kill a million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals per year. If the current rhythm is not absorbed, Plastic pollution is expected to triple by 2060, according to a recent OECD report.

“At least one third of wild fish stocks are overfished and less than 10% of the ocean is protected. “

Kathryn Mathews, scientific director of the American NGO Oceana.

Solutions ranging from recycling to a total ban on plastic bags were discussed at the Lisbon Summit.

He also recommends a coalition that brings together nearly a hundred countries declare protection zones covering 30% of the oceans and land. Emmanuel Macron is expected at this meeting on Thursday.

Featured image credit: © Naja Bertolt Jensen / Unsplash