The online discussion
on the environmental threats to the World Ocean will feature Philippe Cousteau
Jr., scientist, journalist, and grandson of the famous French researcher and
filmmaker Jacques Cousteau, as well as other international experts. The event
will be held on 8 June 2020 in honour of World Oceans Day. The session is
organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of United Shipbuilding
Corporation.
“The World Ocean is
a prime source of growth for the global economy; it is a treasure of natural
resources quite comparable to those of Earth surface resources. Russia is
traditionally among the leading maritime powers that play an active role in research,
reclamation and use of the World Ocean. Protection and care for the World Ocean
resources is the prime objective to ensure the future of our entire civilization. Unfailing compliance with all signed
international agreements and standards, coordination and consolidation of
measures directed to preservation of the key source of life on our planet
should be an unwavering priority for all states that have a part in development
and use of World Ocean resources,” noted Advisor to the President of the
Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov.
Speakers
will discuss how the current state of the World Ocean affects the Earth’s ‘health,’
evaluate preservation and rehabilitation measures, discuss the environmental effects
of the coronavirus pandemic, and consider the potential of efforts to reduce
damage on a global scale.
The
World Ocean covers 71% of the surface of the Earth, helps preserve life on the
planet, and is an
integral part of the sustainable development process and an important subject
of scientific research.
According
to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) experts, the ‘asset base’ of the World Ocean is
worth at least USD 24.2 trillion. Each year the ocean provides humankind with
USD 2.5 trillion in resources. Current threats include
overexploitation of living marine resources, climate change, dangerous and
industrial waste pollution, overfishing, piracy, and other factors.
According
to a UN and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), the acidity of the
World Ocean will increase by 150% by 2050 – 100 times faster than any acidic
changes that the marine environment has undergone over the last 20 million
years. Due to rising ocean acidity, up to 70% of corals may be destroyed by
2100. Corals are a key ecosystem for the majority of commercial fish species.
Damage to ocean ecosystems can be averted by rapidly reducing global carbon gas
emissions and reducing pollution.
The online
session will be moderated by Philippe Cousteau Jr., and will include the
participation of Paris Peace Forum President and former Director-General of the
World Trade Organization (2005–2013) Pascal Lamy, photographer and
biologist Cristina Mittermeier, United Shipbuilding Corporation
President Alexei Rakhmanov, legendary hockey player and UN Goodwill
Ambassador Vyacheslav Fetisov, Former
President of the Republic of Costa Rica (1994–1998) and Antarctica2020 project
founder José María Figueres,
extreme sport athlete and UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador Lewis
Pugh, and Senior High Seas Advisor to the Global Marine and Polar Programme
of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Kristina Gjerde.
World
Oceans Day was officially established by the UN General Assembly in 2009 and is
celebrated every year on 8 June. On this day ecologists, ichthyologists, and water centre staff from
around the world coordinate their efforts to call for the protection of the
ocean’s flora and fauna from the negative impact of human activity.
The session will begin broadcasting at 8 June at 12:00 and will be available via
the Roscongress Foundation's electronic resources: its website, the Roscongress-TV YouTube channel, and its Facebook
group.
