by Karen Sack, President and CEO of Ocean Unite
Source: Virgin Unite

It is a paradox that, even as millions of us remain isolated from our families, friends and colleagues, one of the clearest lessons of the global pandemic is that for better or worse we are all connected with each other. We are also connected with the millions of species sharing our planet, and by our dependence on Earth’s natural systems.

Karen Sack is the president & CEO of Ocean Unite – an organisation incubated by Virgin Unite that is bringing together powerful voices to drive positive ocean conservation action.

Humanity’s tendency to believe that we are the master of the natural world is a dangerous delusion. The result? Accelerating global heating; a million species at risk of extinction; and devastating viruses emerging, thanks to our excessive encroachment into ecosystems. The solution? We must respect the power of nature, listen to science, and unite behind transformative positive change. 

As we begin to emerge, tentatively, into a post-COVID-19 world, the legacy of this global tragedy must not be a swift return to business-as-usual. Instead, we should be guided by a determination to reimagine how we work and live, and most importantly restore our planet as well as ourselves, to good health.

Since health metaphors are currently ubiquitous, let’s use some to assess the state of the ocean. A full body scan has been done and the prognosis is not good – we are rapidly heading towards a scenario where rather than supporting life on Earth, the ocean itself may need to be put on life support.

The ocean is running a fever and suffering frequent hot flushes (yes, the ocean in this case is a woman). The last 10 years were the hottest ever for our seas, with 2019 breaking new records and marine heatwaves becoming the new normal. She is also suffering from osteoporosis as ocean acidification – triggered by our CO2 emissions – dissolves the shells and skeletons of shellfish and corals. 

Kidney disease is clear and prevalent, courtesy of toxic pollution and the endless flow of plastic into a system that is struggling to cope. And, as if that isn’t enough, lung function is compromised. The ocean is gasping for breath as it battles hypoxia and deoxygenation, the marine version of emphysema, driven by fertilizer pollution and ocean heating. Oxygen minimum zones have expanded by 4.5 million km2 since the 1960s – add in a stressful lifestyle from noise pollution and from excessive and illegal fishing, and it’s clear that our patient needs admission to urgent care. 

What does the doctor order? The vast majority of doctors – aka marine scientists – agree. The prescription: the ocean equivalent of improved diet, more exercise, proper rest and rehabilitation – aka again – keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, highly protecting 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030, and sustainably managing any activity that takes place in the other 70 per cent.  It isn’t complicated. It doesn’t require a vaccine or treatment the world doesn’t have yet. It requires leadership, and visionary, multilateral action. 

The ocean’s recovery plan can be summed up through six letters in two words: RISE UP! It literally spells out what must be done to start prioritising the ocean and everyone who depends on it rather than negotiating down to what is politically palatable. In the coming weeks, a series of blogs on this platform will show how these six steps provide the architecture for delivering transformative change to end the spiral of declining ocean health that will also safeguard our own future by:

• R – Restoring ocean life
• I – Investing immediately in a net-zero carbon emissions future
• S – Speeding the transition to a circular and sustainable economy
• E – Empowering and supporting coastal people
• U – Uniting for stronger global ocean governance
• P – Protecting at least 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030

Over 250 organisations from around the world agree.

RISE UP is a prescription for ocean health based on precautionary science and inspired by a unique collaboration of partner organisations including non-profits, philanthropies, indigenous peoples and fisherfolk groups. It’s a blue call to action by people who know, need and love our ocean. Developed through deep consultation over the course of almost a year, its message is urgent. As we bear witness to just how precarious life can be, we simply cannot afford to take any more chances on the health of the ocean that provides the very air we breathe, that feeds and sustains billions of people, hosts 80 per cent of all life on Earth, and absorbs 30 per cent of our excess carbon emissions. 
Continue reading here.

Karen has over 25 years of experience working for international non-governmental organisations on environmental issues around the world with a particular focus on protecting marine biodiversity and building resilience to climate change. In 2015, Sack established Ocean Unite, co-founded by Sir Richard Branson and former Costa Rican President José María Figueres, to engage leadership voices and the business community to accelerate ocean health and resilience. Ocean Unite is committed to helping secure the strong protection of 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030. It has also developed a groundbreaking partnership with the insurance sector to address ocean risk.