C. Uday Bhaskar

Opinion | Lack of global consensus bodes ill for health of world’s oceans

From marine pollution and harmful fishing practices to biodiversity loss and increasing acidification, our oceans are in trouble but long-term issues tend to get short shrift from political leaders

The inability to effectively regulate oceans stems mainly from contradictions, anomalies and the realpolitik surrounding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

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C. Uday Bhaskar

Published: 6:45am, 9 Jul 2022

A series of major-nation summits was held at the end of June – including the Group of 7, BRICS and Nato – where the war in Ukraine and related geopolitical developments dominated deliberations. Yet, a little-noticed UN conference that concluded in Lisbon on July 1 could yet be the most critical event that has the potential to shape the health of the world and its inhabitants.

The past 300 years have witnessed rapid technological progress, resulting in the ruthless exploitation of natural resources. Rampant environmental pollution has damaged the health of the planet.

Climate change is acknowledged as the most urgent environmental challenge to be addressed if global warming is to be managed in a manner that does not further endanger the planet. Global warming’s effects can be seen in the oceans, where in addition to rising sea levels, acidification is increasing and could have irreversible consequences on the global food chain and climate patterns.

The Lisbon conference brought together some 6,500 participants, including heads of government and high-level representatives. It concluded with a declaration titled “Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility”, which focused on life below water – the UN’s 14th Sustainable Development Goal.

It exhorted the global community to save the oceans from existing and future threats, including marine pollution, harmful fishing practices, biodiversity loss and acidification. Regretting the collective failure to achieve the development goals, the declaration added: “As leaders and representatives of our governments, we are determined to act decisively and urgently to improve the health, productivity, sustainable use and resilience of the ocean and its ecosystems.”

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Massive coral reef discovered off Tahiti appears to be untouched by climate change

The health of the world’s oceans has received periodic attention from global leaders but with modest results. For example, the joint communique issued after the 2018 Commonwealth heads of government meeting in London had the theme of “Towards a common future”.