More than 100 countries recently gathered in France at the Ocean One Summit.
The summit aimed to regulate the oceans’ use better to protect the marine environment. Measures and initiatives agreed during the summit include combating plastic pollution to further protect international waters, regulating fishing in the high seas and protecting against unregulated and illegal overfishing.
In addition, 30 countries have signed on to the 30X30 Coalition. The initiative aims to protect 30% of the earth’s land and sea mass by 2030. Additionally, several other countries have joined the UN-backed commitment to recycle or reuse 100% of all plastics.
Commenting on the Ocean One Summit, French President Emanuel Macron stated about 2022:
“A decisive year, and we should take here, in Brest, clear and firm commitments.”
While John Kerry, the US climate envoy, said:
“The ocean that makes life on Earth possible, produces more than half of the oxygen we breathe – and even that is at risk. The ocean and climate are inextricably linked. They’re one and the same.”
