Surfers Against Sewage has declared an Ocean & Climate emergency.
The ocean plays the biggest role in stabilising climate, supporting life on Earth and human well-being. In 2016 the First World Ocean Assessment found that much of the marine environment is seriously damaged. The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health.
Climate change is causing ocean temperatures and acidity levels to rise dramatically. Deep-sea mining, unsustainable fishing and pollution damage marine life. The Ocean and Climate Report, released by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) highlights how these changes are driving marine ecosystems and species to extinction and putting populations in the UK, and across the world, at extreme risk.
SAS are calling on the UK Government to ensure the ocean is at the centre of climate conversations at the 26th UN Climate Conference (COP26) in November 2021.
Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, says: “Ocean ecosystems are not only on the front line of the accelerating impacts of climate change, but also can become the front line of slowing and reversing runaway global heating. The ocean is the thermostat of the global climate system and must be urgently prioritised for action, as world leaders meet for COP26.
The ocean provides us with a unique opportunity to remove human pressures and let nature do the heavy-lifting to combat climate change. Carbon-absorbing ecosystems can re-establish themselves to allow biodiversity to flourish and draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Business as usual has failed both people and planet, and we’re now in a race against time to restore a thriving ocean, the life-support system we all depend on.
We are in an Ocean and Climate Emergency and we call on politicians to move from rhetoric to action, from statements to solutions. We don’t have any time left to waste.”
A recent study** from SAS reveals:
- 89% of the British public are extremely concerned about the climate emergency
- 97% are aware of the impact it is having on the ocean
- 99% of respondents agreed more action needs to be taken
- 96% believe the government must take action urgently
SAS has launched an Ocean and Climate Petition to highlight the importance of a thriving ocean, for the people and planet, and calls on the government to utilise the ocean’s capacity as a solution to the climate crisis, through increased investment in ocean rewilding and Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). The charity plans to generate 80,000 signatures, from the general public and school pupils*.
The petition tasks the UK Government to recognise the importance of a thriving ocean, for the planet and people, and to utilise its capacity as a solution to the climate crisis. SAS are calling for:
1. Ocean rewilding and blue carbon habitat restoration We want to see an increased investment, and associated targets, in ocean rewilding to allow blue carbon habitats to thrive and actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in order to achieve negative carbon emissions.
2. Implementation of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) We want to see the implementation of HPMAs to fully protect marine species from human disruption and to allow ecosystems to recover. We need marine areas where deep sea mining is banned, commercial fishing is prevented, oil and gas exploration is ceased and pollution inputs are tightly regulated.
3. Recognition of the importance of marine ecosystems for human wellbeing We want governments at COP26 to acknowledge the pivotal role the ocean plays in sustaining economies and societal well-being and to ensure protection of coastal communities against the climatic changes we can no longer prevent, such as sea level rise and flooding.
*The Ocean and Climate Petition is directed at the general public and entire schools. The option for entire schools to sign the petition will amplify the powerful voice of youth groups and allow younger generations to influence their future. School teachers will sign the petition on behalf of their pupils.
** An online Ocean and Climate Survey was conducted by SAS from 19th October 2020 to 22nd November 2020. 5,920 respondents included supporters, volunteers, and the British public. The survey was carried out via SAS social media and marketing channels. The results of the survey can be found in Chapter 5 of the 2021 Ocean and Climate Report.
The ocean is sending us a direct warning – through extreme weather, rising seas, melting ice caps and species extinction – our blue planet is on fire.
Demand the government take action to save the ocean. The voice of the ocean must be heard within the climate crisis
SIGN THE PETITION TODAY.
#OceanEmergency
#GenerationSea #OceanActivists
