Oceans Day at Copenhagen UNFCCC COP-15

by IOC-UNESCO on 28 Dec 2009
Oceans Day at Copenhagen UNFCCC COP-15 (December 14, 2009), the first-ever Oceans Day at a UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, brought together 320 leaders from governments, UN agencies, NGOs, science, and industry from 40 countries to focus on the central role of the oceans in climate change and the fact that close to 50% of the world's population living in coastal areas will suffer disproportionately from ocean warming, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification.

Oceans Day underscored the importance of the UNFCCC negotiating text, which should recognize that oceans (70% of the earth) play a central role in climate--oceans generate oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide (about 30%) and regulate climate and temperature. When these functions are threatened, the future of the planet is threatened.

There is a need to craft an integrated oceans and coasts program within the UNFCCC by 2013 emphasizing the following major elements:

a) Proceed with utmost caution to ensure the continuing functioning of the oceans in sustaining life on Earth by adopting the most stringent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, within a short timeframe, to avoid disastrous consequences on oceans and coastal communities around the world.

b) Emphasize the positive contribution that oceans can play in mitigation of global warming, such as: Using natural carbon sinks in coastal areas (such as mangroves, kelp forests, coral reefs); carbon capture and storage through injection into deep seabed geological formations; taking further measures to reduce air pollution from ships; developing ocean-based renewable energy (such as windpower, currents, tides).

c) Provide sufficient funding to support adaptation for coastal and island communities that are at the frontline of climate change in 173 coastal countries. Current estimates of adaptation costs in coastal areas and small island States are woefully inadequate.

d) Adaptation strategies in coastal communities and island nations should encourage ecosystem-based adaptation strategies that increase the resilience of key coastal and marine ecosystems, and be implemented through integrated coastal and ocean management institutions and processes at local, national, and regional scales (e.g., Large Marine Ecosystems, Regional Seas).

World leaders underscored the centrality of oceans in climate and the hazards faced by coastal and island communities. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco noted that '[Oceans] are sources of food, industry, energy. They are the lungs of our planet, precious generators of oxygen. They are indispensable thermo-regulators that attenuate climate change by absorbing CO2.'

Monique Barbut, CEO of the Global Environment Facility, underlined that 'the powerful link between oceans and climate is too often a neglected one. When you protect the oceans you protect the planet.'
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Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for UNEP Angela Cropper spoke about ocean acidification and its impacts 'especially for coastal communities and developing economies which are reliant on fish and marine products for survival and for livelihood.' She also spoke about coastal and ocean ecosystems, such as seagrasses, mangroves and salt marshes, and their role in carbon sequestration based on a new UNEP report.

Indonesia's Minister Fadel Muhammad said that 'the Coral Triangle region, which is home to significant hotspots of marine biological diversity, is seriously threatened by climate change impacts including sea level rise and ocean warming, as well as by ocean acidification.'

UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Hilary Benn warned about ocean acidification and its potential impacts on food security. Jane Lubchenco, US Under Secretary of Commerce and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration emphasized that 'Today, as never before, we better comprehend the connections between healthy oceans and healthy people, and the myriad interactions among land, air, fresh water, ocean, ice, and human activities.'

Jacqueline McGlade, European Environment Agency Director, underscored the need for the UNFCCC program to rely on marine scientific information in addition to terrestrial and atmospheric science.

The global oceans community will be articulating a comprehensive program of work related to climate and oceans and coasts, including mitigation, adaptation, financing, capacity development, and public involvement, for consideration by the UNFCCC Parties in their continuing deliberations beyond Copenhagen.

For Oceans Day at Copenhagen proceedings, please refer to http://www.oceansday.org/

More information at http://www.ioc-unesco.org
www.globaloceans.org