Experts call for global awareness of marine environment
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E-mail Xinhua, June 11, 2013
In observance of World Oceans Day, experts highlighted the impact of climate change and degradation of the marine environment at the UN headquarters on Monday, in an effort to raise global awareness of the challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.
The world body had partnered with the New York-based American Museum of Natural History for a panel presentation by Alex de Voogt, Curator of African Ethnology, and Jennifer Newell, Curator of Pacific Ethnology.
Researchers were witnessing the changing relationship of Pacific Islanders to their waters due to climate change. Many cultural transformations were under way because of the impact on communities of sea-level rise, water salinization, and even drought, Newell said at a press conference earlier in the day.
"Life is becoming quite untenable, especially in low-lying areas," she said.
Newell noted that several island nations have already elaborated plans to move their entire populations elsewhere.
It was predicted that tens of millions of people may have to leave their homes by 2050, "and where these people will go is of course a big concern," she added.
While talking about "Oceans and People," this year's theme for this year's celebration, de Voogt said that most of people in the Indian Ocean are connected and are still connected today. "This is not just trade and migration but there is also cultural exchange and that is where cultural anthropology comes in."
Meanwhile, in his message on the Day, which was released over the weekend, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that oceans are integral to all humanity, and urged the international community to do more to reverse degradation of the marine environment.
"Let us work together to create new waves of action for ocean sustainability - for people and the planet," he said.
"If we are to fully benefit from the oceans, we must reverse the degradation of the marine environment due to pollution, overexploitation and acidification," he said, urging all nations to work towards that end, including by joining and implementing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the broad based treaty governing the world's waters, often referred to as "the Constitution of the oceans."
Given the important role played by oceans for the planet's food security, and the health and survival of all life, as well energy needs, the General Assembly decided that, from 2009, June 8 would be designated by the UN as World Oceans Day. Endi
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