Last month, at the UN General Assembly meetings, the OceanEye International Alliance was announced. Led by the EU and Canada, with a total of 31 members this program aims to build a more comprehensive picture of the oceans, which cover 70% of the Earth’s surface.
The Alliance will observe the oceans using research vessels, moored buoy and floats as well as satellites.
The oceans play an important role in mitigating climate change as they soak up 25 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions created by our activities and have been called the lungs of the planet. Blue carbon is carbon captured and stored by marine and coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems can capture carbon faster than forests on land and are also biodiversity hotspots that protect the shoreline.
For a healthy planet, we need healthy oceans. And the more information about them, the better as Tom Pickerell, Global Director of WRI’s Ocean Program explains:
“Better ocean data means better decisions. It helps governments spot risks earlier, protect communities and livelihoods, and build more resilient economies in the face of extreme weather. For Ocean Panel member countries and others committed to 100% sustainable management of their national waters, better data keeps Sustainable Ocean Plans grounded in reality — showing where risks are growing, whether action is working and when governments need to change course.”