Why protecting the oceans is essential

The Portuguese government is fully committed to the protection and sustainable use of the oceans, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro told the United Nations in New York on Wednesday. This commitment underscores Portugal’s leadership in global marine conservation efforts.

He said that one of his government’s main strategic priorities is fulfilling the goals of the International  2030 Agenda designed to reinforce action on ocean protection and sustainability. Demonstrating its commitment,  Portugal plans to achieve the United Nations’ 2030 target of 30% protected areas by 2026, four years ahead of schedule. This announcement was made by the former prime minister, Antonio Costa, in October last year during the 2 nd Sustainable Blue Investment Forum in Estoril, Lisbon.

The findings of a recent UNESCO report reveal that increasing temperatures account for 40% of sea level rises. The rate of rising has doubled over the past 20 years, with last year seeing one of the highest increases since the 1950s. This is most concerning for low-lying islands and parts of coastal cities, towns, and villages worldwide. 

Since the 1960s, the oceans have lost a significant amount of oxygen due to warming, and to pollutants such as toxic wastewater, and runoff agricultural chemicals. Conserving diversity of life on Earth and in oceans is critical to human welfare, yet essential resources are at risk directly as a result of unsustainable practises.  

Marine debris, especially plastics, has reportedly impacted at least 700 marine species, from vegetation, plankton, and invertebrates, to fish, whales, and sea birds. Marine habit loss is causing the extinction of many species and poses a threat to entire ecosystems, with far-reaching  consequences on biodiversity and human livelihoods.

Oceans play an integral role in climate change mitigation by absorbing some 23% of  carbon dioxide emissions, and more than 90% of the excess heat  generated by greenhouse gasses.

 Portugal has just strongly reaffirmed its important early role in international ocean governance by engaging at the highest of levels with executive decision-makers and  the United Nations.

This is in line with the Global Ocean Forum’s (GOF) recently unveiled 2024-2030 plan designed “to guide the organisations as the oceans are a holistic ecosystem, joint efforts on a global scale are required, bearing in mind new priorities and areas of focus."

A clear warning from all relevant international organisations is that oceans are the life support system of our planet, and the way we treat them will have repercussions on all.

Written by Len Port.

Edited by Catriona Anderson.