UN declares ‘ocean emergency,’ as global leaders gather at Lisbon

Ifunanya Ojukwu

On Monday, thousands of people gathered at Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal, for the first day of the long-awaited UN Ocean Conference.

Riding on the global momentum generated by the event, experts are pushing for a new international commitment to combat pollution, including at sea.

With focus on restoration of the oceans, the agency said “man-made pollution, is one of the biggest threats to our oceans.”

Harping on tackling marine pollution, it noted, that “individual action is the key to ocean restoration.”

“Riding on the global momentum generated by the event, experts are pushing for a new international commitment to combat pollution, including at sea,” the UN news reported.

“According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the amount of marine litter and plastic waste, has been growing rapidly. And without meaningful action, emissions of plastics into aquatic ecosystems, are projected to nearly triple by 2040.’

“Following the high-level plenary, a panel of experts met to discuss the marine pollution issue, focusing on finding solutions.’

“Pollution cuts across several sectors and is strongly interconnected with the other planetary crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Combatting marine pollution is a global challenge, that needs a global approach if it’s to be mitigated, experts remarked.”

“Sea-based pollution, including discharges and spills from vessels and the presence of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear, continues to be of concern, with plastics and microplastics from numerous sources, untreated wastewater and nutrient run-off still polluting the oceans”, said a statement published by organizers of the event.

Speaking in Lisbon, Janis Searles Jones, Chief Executive Officer at the Ocean Conservancy, in Portland, Oregon, stressed that “life below water is essential to life above water”, and underlined the urgency of reducing single-use plastic, and faster action.

https://twitter.com/OjukwuAdeze/status/1541824525100167168?s=20&t=AxxvBVy8heFuh0c9ySF_KA

How e take affect the nigerian constitution, make the help kill boko haram sponsors and leave the damn ocean alone