Many of us live with what experts call ‘cognitive dissonance’: We know perfectly well that we should stop overfishing and unbridled climate gas emissions so as to meet the agreed objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Yet, we trick ourselves to feel, that someone else should change damaging routines or that perhaps after all, when closing the eyes to CO₂ intensive bottom trawling and jetting across the world to a diving destination is, after all not too bad, given that we have reduced meat consumption. May be? For sure, action to reduce the individual footprint alone will not do the trick, while the entire system within which we live and operate promotes other values. But together, governments, industries intent on being around and profitable in the future, civil society organisations and citizen initiatives can bring about the urgently needed change.

We can and must recover marine and terrestrial ecosystems, restore them as much as possible to their lost productivity. Giving back to nature will increase what we can sustainably take and share rather than fighting over a shrinking ‘cake’. How? By trust-building measures rather than only pointing fingers, by involving as many people as possible, particularly currently disadvantaged groups who are already paying an over-proportionate price for the waste and mismanagement, by working out together how to distribute costs and benefits of the transitions in a fair and equitable manner. These first principles sound too general? Well, in the cases where they have been practiced at local and higher levels, they have produced robust results.

The UN Ocean Conference ending 1 July 2022 in Lisbon provided much needed fresh political impetus at global level to create an enabling environment for the many initiative underway and even more to come. Some 300 new commitments and pledges were announced, 50 of which particularly significant, including an investment of at least USD 1 billion to support the creation, expansion and management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and Indigenous and locally governed marine and coastal areas by 2030, made by the Protecting Our Planet Challenge. See a summary report and analysis here.

We will certainly continue to deliver on the ones we have made. See a sample of our activities during the northern summer below. We also look forward to supporting governments in the ratification process of the agreements taken at the 12th Ministerial Conference of WTO. Two thirds of governments need to complete the ratification process within the prescribed maximum four years and deposit their instruments so that the agreement enters into force. We urge all current 164 WTO members to do so as soon as possible.

Our work is exclusively financed by donations. So support us with whatever financial help you can provide, with your time and skills and be part of stepping up collective action for the ocean and thus for fellow humans as well. Thank you!

Mundus maris asbl, Belfius Bank, Rue de Linthout 224, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
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Our website in five languages www.mundusmaris.org offers you more stories together with back issues of newsletters and annual reports. Contact us any time at info@mundusmaris.org.

Cornelia E. Nauen and the entire Mundus maris team

Activities around the world