International Ocean Experts and Activists to Urge Implementation of Measures at United Nations Summit
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego has taken centre stage at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, contributing to critical discussions on ocean health and sustainability.
The conference, which is the third in a series of conferences dedicated to governance of the global ocean, one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, has highlighted key ocean challenges such as ocean warming and rising sea levels, plastic pollution, overfishing, biodiversity loss, and the need to protect deep-sea ecosystems like seamounts.
As a leading oceanographic research institution, Scripps has brought its expertise to the table, providing scientific research, oceanographic data, and policy recommendations to these discussions. The presence of over 150 scientists at the conference who signed open letters urging protection of fragile marine environments reflects the type of collective scientific advocacy Scripps is known for.
Scripps' contributions at the conference have focused on informing policy on ocean warming and pollution, advocating for sustainable fishery management, supporting legal frameworks like the BBNJ for high seas biodiversity protection, and highlighting the significance of deep-ocean ecosystems and the risks of destructive practices such as bottom trawling.
Several Scripps researchers will engage with the public at the venue "La Bailene" and present within the event's blue and green zones. Octavio Aburto-Oropeza, a Scripps marine biologist, aims to make the concept of Marine Prosperity Areas more widespread, which are marine reserves created to restore marine ecosystems and support human well-being.
Margaret Leinen, Scripps Director and Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences at UC San Diego, emphasises the importance of understanding and addressing ocean threats for the preservation of life on Earth. Lisa Levin, a Scripps biological oceanographer, will participate in events at the conference's Blue Zone and Green Zone, including a panel talk on "Safeguarding Deep-Sea Biodiversity and the Climate: Integrating Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future."
In addition to its research contributions, Scripps is also collaborating with international research centres to highlight the importance of ocean observations and science in achieving UNFCCC climate negotiations and UN Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations goals.
Scripps is committed to educating the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders through its undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs, operating a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels, and being home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.
Vanessa Scott, participating at the Blue Economy Finance Forum, is focusing on increasing visibility for Scripps Oceanography applied research, presenting on Scripps Oceanography innovations, the StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program opportunity, StartBlue impacts to date, and the strength of the San Diego Blue Economy Innovation Ecosystem. Scott's goals include identifying, connecting, and recruiting potential investors, startups, companies, and partners for collaborations with Scripps and StartBlue.
Other members of the Scripps team will brief UNOC participants on new technologies that can revive coral populations through the use of chemical prompts. Scientists believe there are new technologies available that can monitor ocean health and address these threats. The Scripps delegation will also advance the urgent need for expanded observation of the global ocean through the use of the Argo network and biomolecular diagnostic tools.
Aburto-Oropeza wants to promote the idea that it's time to rebalance the value of nature, focusing on its intrinsic worth, essential role in sustaining societies, and deep cultural meaning. The Scripps delegation is working to ensure that the oceans, which are facing various threats including marine heatwaves, pollution, shrinking safe seafood supply, mineral extraction from the seafloor, and acidification of seawater, are protected for future generations.
- The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, known for its significant contributions to environmental-science and oceanographic research, is leveraging science, technology, and policy advocacy to combat climate-change and protect the ocean's biodiversity, focusing on ocean warming, pollution, and the need for deep-sea ecosystem preservation.
- Net-working with international research centres and fostering the next generation of scientific leaders, Scripps is propelling the integration of ocean observations and science to achieve UNFCCC climate negotiations and UN Convention on Biological Diversity goals, highlighting innovations like new technologies to revive coral populations and expand global ocean observation through networks like Argo.
