Oceans 16 – An Insiders Unique View

2016 could be the year of change for the Oceans! 

A chance to turn the tide of damage, and start bringing about a positive seachange to the oceans, The source of all life that covers 70% of our blue planet.

An opportunity for us to become warriors of the sea, ocean defenders!

A key change happened at the COP21 climate talks in Paris, where for the first time it was recognised at that conference that climate change is affecting the ocean, and an agreement was forged with all countries to keep the rise of global temperatures to less than 2% to try and limit the problems. Although it is too late now to save some endangered countries and ocean wildlife, this could help to avert a tide of global disasters.

 

COP21 and beyond – hope for a seachange in how we live with the oceans!

So now we can move forward, and if we all take steps, no matter how small they are, a ocean/climate seachange could happen.

We can all help by reducing plastic packaging in the food and drink bottles we buy, walk and use bikes more, clear up beaches and support the ocean projects (like Mission Blue’s Hope Spots and Oceania) whose work is so important.

For the ocean is key to all our survival on earth.

It absorbs much of the heat we generate, creates most of the oxygen we breathe, feeds over ⅓ of people. It is the source of all life, is breath-takingly beautiful and a place of deep nourishment for  all of us.

Yet it is overheating, becoming acid, being fished out, it’s fish nurseries destroyed by bottom trawlers, and plastic rubbish swamps beaches and high seas – life in the oceans is now at risk.

I am a passionate ocean lover and my work is Healing the Deep – helping heal people and oceans. For I sailed the deep oceans for years in my 20’s and learnt so much from this remote part of our planet. So now when you invest in yourself with me, I gift forward a % to key projects helping to heal and protect the ocean.

And as 2016 starts, I think there is more hope for helping the oceans than we have had for a long time, yet so much more is needed. In the light of this I want to share with you a report from COP21 by Anna…..

Anna Leacock is a good friend (and niece) of mine. As skilled speechwriter for the UN last month she was at COP21, so I asked her to share something of this amazing experience where the agreement was brokered that could start to turn the tide and make a difference for the oceans.

For if we all do what we can in smaller ways, then this could be the year when a positive ocean seachange starts to happen.

Anna Leacock is a passionate defender of social justice and the environment. Originally Australian, currently speechwriter for the UN in Germany. she coordinated events at COP21 which united world leaders and organisations to forge a brighter, climate neutral future.

A fascinating view from an insider at COP21, Paris Nov/Dec 2015 – 

I’m Anna Leacock, and last month I was working at United Nations’ climate change negotiations in Paris. 

One of the most important things to come out of the Paris negotiations was the recognition of our oceans’ vulnerability in the face of climate change. Incredibly, it was the first time that oceans had ever been considered at UN climate talks. 

It was heart-warming to hear how committed some of our leaders are to protecting our oceans. For me, the most inspiring speeches came from Crown Prince Albert II of Monaco; Mary Robinson – ex-President of Ireland, and Chief Alan Alo of Samoa. 

Prince Albert emphasised that humankind’s persistent misunderstanding of these issues is truly the enemy of the oceans. Economies, habitats and human well-being are all linked to a healthy ocean, but our activities are turning it acid, heating it up and drawing out the life-giving oxygen. We need to educate ourselves so we can all be defenders of the ocean. 

Mary Robinson looked at sea level rise, and criticised the lack of international planning for climate refugees.  At the moment, international law doesn’t even recognise climate refugees, which means that nobody has an obligation to care for them. She called for the creation of a dignified resettlement program, recognising that islanders are the victims of an issue they simply did not cause. 

Chief Alan Alo spoke about the existential threat of the rising seas, from his own experience in Samoa. He spoke powerfully about his community’s constant fear. How the world’s inaction will see him lose his land, culture, identity – even the bones of his ancestors. 

These people inspired me to learn more about how climate change is threatening our oceans, as well as the people who depend on it. 

Let us educate ourselves, and all become defenders of the ocean, and so have a chance to create a happy and healthy future.

Wishing you an oceanic year of fulfilment, balance and inspiring new opportunities!

Warm wishes,

Cassandra Punita