With the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the world’s deep-rooted problems arose. Evidently, climate change, pollution, and the health system are just a few of the many issues that the pandemic is highlighting. This require a major structural change and shared solutions that are rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals in order to have a more concrete goal in mind. In light of this, the United Nations and the Governments of Kenya and Portugal hosted an Ocean Conference that aims to distinguish and set in motion a global ocean action. The conference held at Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal on 27 Jun to 1 Jul 2022.

Oceanus Conservation take part in Our Ocean Future

Indeed, with the greatest honor, Oceanus Conservation invited by the United Nations Ocean Conference, participated on a side event entitled “Our Ocean Future: Empowering the next generation of Ocean Leaders,” organized by the Bertarelli Foundation’s Marine Science programme. To begin with, we were given the opportunity to share our work and advocacy alongside many Ocean Youth Leaders. 

Leaders in the United Nations Ocean Conference

Together with Ms. Camille Rivera, Co-Founder of Oceanus Conservation, are Ocean Youth Leaders: Sivajyodee Sannassy from Mauritius, Bangor University who is working on coral reefs and climate change, and lastly, Ines Boujmil who is working on fisheries and policy from the Early Career Ocean Professional which is in the same community as Ms. Rivera. 

Moreover, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and Mission Blue Founder Dr. Sylvia Earle was present in the conference. Significantly, she is responsible for having ocean data that are displaying on Google Earth. Dr. Sylvia Earle imparted her knowledge and inspired the young leaders of tomorrow in taking action. To point out, explaining how our capacity as humans to induce change for the betterment of our environment. Alongside Dr. Earle were the panel and Ocean leaders: Dr. Asha De Vos of the Oceanswell from Sri Lanka; Rashid Sumalia, a professor of the Ocean and Fisheries Economics at the University of British Columbia; and finally Angelique, an environmental lawyer, climate negotiator, former Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust and Advisory Board member of the UN Ocean Decade. 

““We can avoid the catastrophe in the years to come, and we are the best hope.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle

On this entire occasion, now more than ever we need to take action and advocate for the protection of our ocean and the environment. Join us in our movement and inspire young leaders of today!

Co-author: Avelyn Domingo