GREEN FORUM: THE OCEANS

MIAMI, AUGUST 2009

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and constitute 98% of the biosphere, highlighting their crucial importance to life on Earth. Despite this, our understanding of these vast waters and their diverse life forms continues to evolve. Current knowledge, however, is sufficient to recognize the dire threats facing this vital natural system.

Following the Green Forum in 2007, environmentalists Nicolas Ibargüen and Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence co-chaired the 2009 Green Forum: The Oceans. Nicolas partnered with the National Geographic Society, Oceana, the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the City of Miami. 

The forum attracted distinguished figures in environmental advocacy and research, including Jean-Michel Cousteau, an explorer, environmentalist, educator, and film producer renowned for his dedicated work in marine conservation, Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Rob Stewart, a director, producer, writer, and cinematographer celebrated for his influential documentary, "Sharkwater: The Truth Will Surface." The forum also welcomed Peter Lehner, the Executive Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Enric Sala, Ph.D. in Ecology and a National Geographic Fellow, who leads a marine conservation initiative at National Geographic in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Dr. Kenny Broad, an ecological anthropologist, and professor at RSMAS, contributed his expertise to the discussions, enriching the forum's dialogue on ocean conservation and sustainability.

The event focused on the critical issues affecting the world's oceans and highlighted the precarious state of marine ecosystems. It attracted scientists, scholars, business leaders, and policymakers to examine the adverse effects of climate change, pollution, and overfishing on the oceans. The discussions also extended to exploring scientific, financial, and political strategies necessary for ocean conservation and promoting a sustainable economic framework for future use:

Overfishing: Balancing the Scales for Sustainability: Many believe that fish are abundant, a view supported by global catches increasing from 19 million tons in 1950 to 98 million tons in 2006, as the UN Food and Agricultural Organization reported. However, this perspective obscures the grim reality that the largest fish species are dwindling, and the fish caught are increasingly smaller and younger.

Pollution and Global Warming: A Rising Tide of Concern: Each year, over 60 million liters of oil from urban runoff and sewage and medical waste find their way into the ocean, introducing harmful substances into marine ecosystems. This pollution creates over 400 dead zones worldwide and a significant increase in ocean plastics, posing a severe threat to marine life and, by extension, human survival.

Acidification: A Dissolving Future: The rising ocean acidity, resulting from increased carbon absorption, threatens the foundational plankton species that produce most of the Earth's oxygen and regulate its carbon. This accelerating shift exacerbates global warming and endangers coastal communities worldwide.

Economic Opportunities: The Blue Economy: Countries like Iceland demonstrate the potential for sustainable fisheries management, ensuring long-term economic benefits. The development of green energy sources, such as wind, wave, and tidal power, represents the untapped potential of the oceans to contribute to global economic prosperity.

The Call for Political Will: The degradation of marine environments highlights a global crisis that requires stewardship, international cooperation, and decisive action to enforce regulations and protect the rights of the ocean against exploitation.