In an exclusive article for Euronews, actor and environmental advocate Ted Danson reflects on the enduring challenges facing our oceans and the critical, bold actions required to address them. He emphasizes that despite the significant stresses we have imposed on marine environments, initiatives like the Our Ocean Conference provide a beacon of hope for oceanic restoration and the future of our planet.
Danson recounts standing with former US Secretary of State John Kerry ten years ago at the Smithsonian’s Sant Ocean Hall in Washington, DC, to discuss their mutual concern for the oceans. This conversation occurred just before the inaugural Our Ocean Conference, an initiative started by Kerry in 2014. This conference was designed to unite world leaders, academics, non-profits, and funders under a single roof to commit to solving the pressing threats our oceans face. This week, the conference meets for the ninth time, demonstrating its endurance and evolving impact.
The Our Ocean Conference has successfully transformed international dialogue into substantial action, steering clear of the common stalemates typical of such gatherings. Each meeting concludes with actionable commitments, pushing forward a healthier trajectory for marine conservation. Since its inception, the conference has mobilized over 2,160 commitments worth approximately $130 billion and has protected more than 5 million square miles of ocean.
One of the standout moments of the Our Ocean Conference was in 2016 when Kerry, alongside Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, introduced the Global Fishing Watch. This pioneering technology platform allows anyone to monitor commercial fishing activities in near real-time for free, marking a significant advancement in the global effort to manage fishing sustainably.
The Our Ocean Conference addresses a broad spectrum of marine issues. The oceans endure tremendous burdens from human activity: they are the dumping ground for billions of pounds of plastic waste annually and absorb over 90% of the excess heat from global warming, leading to coral bleaching, rising sea temperatures, and increased sea levels. Additionally, overfishing and illegal fishing practices not only deplete fish stocks but also destroy marine habitats and are linked to human rights abuses such as forced labor.
In response, the Our Ocean Conference has advocated for robust, science-based management plans for fisheries, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and cuts in the production of unnecessary single-use plastics. The conference also supports the ambitious goal of protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030 to preserve marine biodiversity. These protected areas are essential for banning destructive practices like bottom trawling, which devastates the ocean floor.
Each year, the Our Ocean Conference yields new commitments and solutions, reflecting the ongoing global effort to address these challenges. Recent victories include the establishment of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), enhanced transparency in fishing activities, and stronger regulations to curb overfishing and illegal fishing practices worldwide.
As Danson highlights, the influence of visionary leaders like John Kerry, who catalyzed a wave of global oceanic action, is indispensable. The Our Ocean Conference not only continues to inspire international cooperation but also drives substantial progress in marine conservation. It exemplifies how sustained collective effort can lead to meaningful environmental change, offering hope for the oceans and our collective future.