Defending Science and the Ocean: Macron’s Vow to Guide Action
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to defend science from attacks by "major powers" as he attempts to rally global support behind the upcoming UN summit on ocean conservation.
The third UN Oceans Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France, in June comes as the US guts funding for environment programs and retreats from global efforts to combat climate change. In a speech in Paris, Macron singled out Washington’s funding cuts for environment research and said Nice would "reaffirm our commitment to scientific work."
A Period of Contesting Science
"We are also living in a period where many major powers are halting their funding to public research organisations and contesting the validity of scientifically established results," Macron said. "In Nice… no action regarding the ocean should be taken without being guided by science," he emphasized, including on the hot-button topic of deep-sea mining for critical minerals, which France has taken a "precautionary" view on until the science around such exploration is better established.
UNOC Priorities and Preparations
The Nice summit, which will be preceded by a conference bringing together 2,000 scientists from around 100 countries, will focus on eight priorities, including expanding ocean areas under international protection, tackling pollution and overfishing, and cleaning up marine transport. Macron also wants the number of nations that have ratified a treaty on high seas governance to grow from 21 to 60 so the agreement can finally come into force.
Walk the Talk
Diplomatic efforts to broker global agreements for the environment have struggled in recent months. Environment groups have called on Macron to encourage nations to actually fulfill their existing conservation pledges before making new ones in Nice. "President Macron should make it clear to leaders that they should not come to make more lofty pledges," Enric Sala, director of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project, said.
A Call to Action
The OECD has released a report warning that the remarkable growth of the ocean economy over the past 25 years could stall without stronger international protections and governance. It identified expanding marine territorial claims by nations, illegal fishing operations, and climate change as among the major threats to this future growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Macron’s vow to defend science and guide action on the ocean is a crucial step in addressing the pressing issues facing our planet. As the UNOC approaches, it is essential that nations come together to reaffirm their commitment to scientific work and take concrete actions to protect the ocean.
FAQs
Q: What is the UN Oceans Conference (UNOC)?
A: The UNOC is a global conference that brings together world leaders, scientists, and conservationists to discuss and address the pressing issues facing the world’s oceans.
Q: What are the priorities for the UNOC?
A: The priorities for the UNOC include expanding ocean areas under international protection, tackling pollution and overfishing, and cleaning up marine transport, among other issues.
Q: What is the significance of the UNOC?
A: The UNOC is a critical step in addressing the pressing issues facing our planet and ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the world’s oceans.
Q: What is France’s stance on deep-sea mining for critical minerals?
A: France has taken a "precautionary" view on deep-sea mining for critical minerals until the science around such exploration is better established.