Ocean Literacy : The ocean and the Agenda 2030

UNESCO

18 Jun 202102:17

Summary

TLDRThe vast oceans, covering over 70% of our planet, are essential to the balance between human needs and all life on Earth. Recognizing this interconnection is termed ocean literacy. Established in 1961, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission leads ocean science and services. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all UN member states in 2015, aim to create a sustainable future, with SDG 14 focusing on ocean sustainability. Ocean literacy is crucial for achieving these goals by 2030, emphasizing the need for global cooperation in education and empowerment for current and future generations.

Takeaways

🌊 The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance between human needs and those of all life on the planet.
🔍 Ocean literacy is the awareness of the ocean's direct influence on every person and the impact each individual has on the ocean.
📜 In 1961, the United Nations created the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), a UN body dedicated to ocean science and services.
🌍 Over the decades, a series of events have shaped our planet and impacted all life, highlighting the importance of understanding and protecting our oceans.
📈 The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all UN member states in 2015 are interlinked objectives aimed at creating a better and sustainable future for all.
🐟 SDG 14 specifically addresses the need for sustainable use of oceans and their resources, emphasizing its connection to the overall sustainability of the planet.
🌱 SDG 14 is intricately linked to other goals such as industry innovation, climate action, responsible consumption and production, and the reduction of poverty and hunger.
🎯 The target for achieving the SDGs is by the year 2030, making ocean literacy essential in accomplishing these global objectives.
📚 Educating and empowering current and future generations about ocean literacy is vital for the success of sustainable development goals.
🌐 Everyone can contribute to the global movement by joining the ocean literacy community and sharing resources and knowledge on the ocean literacy portal.

Q & A

What is the significance of the ocean covering over 70% of the planet?
-The ocean's vast coverage is crucial as it acts as the lifeline that ensures the balance between the needs of humanity and all living organisms on Earth. It directly influences every individual and is influenced by human actions in return, highlighting the importance of ocean literacy.
What is ocean literacy?
-Ocean literacy refers to the awareness and understanding of the ocean's pivotal role in maintaining the habitability and diversity of our planet. It encompasses the recognition of the direct influence the ocean has on people and the impact humans have on the ocean.
When was the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission established and by whom?
-The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission was established in 1961 by the United Nations. It is the UN body at the forefront of ocean science and services.
How have events over the last decades impacted life on Earth?
-Events over the past decades have significantly shaped our planet and affected all life on Earth. These events include various environmental changes and anthropogenic impacts, which have altered the natural balance and posed challenges to sustainability.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and when were they adopted?
-The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interlinked goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. They serve as a blueprint to achieve a better and sustainable future for all by addressing key areas such as poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment, and social justice.
What is the role of SDG 14 in ensuring the future of our oceans?
-SDG 14, focused on 'Life Below Water,' outlines the fundamental path to ensure the ocean's sustainability for future generations. It calls for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources, and is intricately linked to all other SDGs.
How are the SDGs related to each other?
-The SDGs are interlinked, meaning that progress in one goal can contribute to success in others. For example, actions taken for industry innovation and climate action (SDG 9 and 13) can support responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), as well as poverty (SDG 1) and hunger reduction (SDG 2).
What is the target year for achieving the SDGs?
-The target year for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is 2030.
Why is ocean literacy important in accomplishing the SDGs?
-Ocean literacy is fundamental in accomplishing the SDGs because it fosters an understanding of the ocean's critical role in the Earth's ecosystem and encourages collective action towards sustainable practices that benefit both the ocean and human societies.
How can individuals contribute to the global movement for ocean literacy and SDGs?
-Individuals can contribute by educating themselves and others, sharing resources and knowledge, and participating in the ocean literacy community. They can also support initiatives and policies that promote the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.
What is the ocean literacy portal mentioned in the script, and what is its purpose?
-The ocean literacy portal is a platform designed to facilitate the sharing of resources and knowledge related to ocean literacy. Its purpose is to support the global movement towards achieving the SDGs by empowering current and future generations with the information and tools needed to make informed decisions about ocean conservation and sustainable use.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Ocean's Vital Role and Literacy

This paragraph emphasizes the vastness of the ocean, which covers over 70% of the Earth, and its critical role in maintaining the balance between human needs and those of all life on Earth. It introduces the concept of ocean literacy, the awareness of the ocean's influence on us and our impact on it. The establishment of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission by the United Nations in 1961 is mentioned as a pivotal step in ocean science and services. The paragraph also highlights the impact of recent global events on life and the importance of understanding the ocean's role in ensuring a habitable and diverse planet. It underscores the connection between Sustainable Development Goal 14 and other SDGs, emphasizing the need for ocean literacy in achieving these goals by 2030.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Ocean Literacy

Ocean Literacy refers to the understanding of the ocean's significance and its impact on all life on Earth. It emphasizes the interconnectedness between human activities and the health of the ocean. In the video, ocean literacy is crucial for recognizing our individual and collective responsibility towards maintaining the ocean's balance, which is vital for the well-being of humanity and other living organisms.

💡United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries. In the context of the video, the UN established the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in 1961 to lead ocean science and services, highlighting the global commitment to understanding and protecting the ocean.

💡Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interlinked objectives adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015. These goals aim to address a wide range of social and environmental issues, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and ocean conservation. The SDGs serve as a blueprint for a sustainable future and are central to the video's message about the importance of global cooperation in achieving a healthier planet.

💡SDG 14

SDG 14, also known as the 'Life Below Water' goal, is dedicated to conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. It emphasizes the need to protect marine ecosystems from pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. In the video, SDG 14 is presented as a fundamental path to ensure ocean sustainability for future generations, illustrating the direct link between ocean health and human well-being.

💡Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) is a联合国 body established in 1961 to promote the study of the ocean and its resources. It is at the forefront of ocean science and services, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and the development of strategies for the sustainable use of the ocean. The video emphasizes the IOC's role in shaping our understanding of the ocean and its importance to global sustainability efforts.

💡Climate Action

Climate action refers to the steps taken to combat climate change and its impacts. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and implementing policies to mitigate and adapt to the effects of a changing climate. In the context of the video, climate action is one of the SDGs and is closely related to the health of the ocean, as the ocean plays a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate.

💡Responsible Consumption and Production

Responsible consumption and production involves using resources efficiently and sustainably, minimizing waste and pollution, and ensuring that economic development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the video, this concept is linked to the SDGs and the importance of educating and empowering individuals to make informed choices that benefit both the ocean and society.

💡Poverty Reduction

Poverty reduction aims to alleviate the conditions of poverty by implementing policies and programs that provide resources, education, and opportunities to those in need. It is one of the SDGs and is connected to ocean health, as sustainable use of marine resources can contribute to economic development and improved livelihoods in coastal communities. The video underscores the interconnectedness of poverty reduction with the overall health of the ocean.

💡Hunger Reduction

Hunger reduction involves strategies and actions to decrease the number of people suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition. This is another SDG and is related to the ocean in that sustainable fishing practices and the protection of marine ecosystems ensure the continued availability of fish as a food source. The video implies that understanding the ocean's role in food security is essential for addressing global hunger issues.

💡Global Movement

A global movement refers to a coordinated effort by people around the world to address a common issue or achieve a shared goal. In the video, the term is used to describe the collective action needed to advance ocean literacy and support the achievement of the SDGs. It calls for unity and collaboration among individuals, communities, and nations to protect the ocean and ensure a sustainable future.

💡Ocean Literacy Community

The Ocean Literacy Community is a group of individuals, organizations, and stakeholders committed to promoting ocean literacy and sustainable practices. This community works together to educate others about the importance of the ocean and to empower people to take action for its conservation. The video positions the community as a vital part of the broader effort to achieve the SDGs and protect the ocean for future generations.

💡Ocean Sustainability

Ocean sustainability refers to the practices and policies aimed at preserving the health of the ocean and its ecosystems for future generations. This includes protecting biodiversity, ensuring the viability of marine resources, and mitigating the impacts of climate change on the ocean. The video emphasizes that ocean sustainability is crucial for maintaining the balance between human needs and the well-being of all life on Earth.

Highlights

The ocean covers over 70 percent of the planet, serving as a lifeline for the balance between human needs and all life on Earth.

Ocean literacy is the awareness of the ocean's direct influence on every individual and their influence on the ocean.

The United Nations established the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in 1961, a UN body leading ocean science and services.

A series of global events has significantly impacted all life on Earth over the last decades.

In 2015, all UN member states adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint for a better and sustainable future.

SDG 14 is the fundamental path to ensure ocean sustainability for future generations and is linked to all other SDGs.

The SDGs aim to address issues like industry innovation, climate action, responsible consumption, production, poverty, and hunger reduction.

The target is to achieve the SDGs by the year 2030, with ocean literacy being fundamental in accomplishing these goals.

It is crucial for everyone to understand the ocean's pivotal role in making our planet habitable and diverse.

We must work together to educate and empower current and future generations on ocean literacy.

Joining the global movement and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals can be done through participating in the ocean literacy community.

Sharing resources and knowledge on the ocean literacy portal is a way to contribute to this cause.

The ocean's health is directly linked to the well-being of humanity and every living organism on Earth.

Understanding and protecting the ocean is a collective responsibility that affects everyone on the planet.

The UN's role in promoting ocean science and services is critical for global sustainability.

The Sustainable Development Goals are interconnected, with each goal supporting the others in achieving a comprehensive sustainable future.

Educating people about the importance of the ocean is a key step in ensuring its preservation and the success of the SDGs.