Oceans campaigners at the Rio+20 Earth Summit have welcomes a ruling that the supermarket giant Intermarché made false claims about sustainable seafood. The French advertising authority told Intermarché they must pull all the offending advertisements relating to deep sea fish.
The final draft conference text on oceans delays action on protecting international waters – just as civil society groups vote it top priority in their session. The United States denies it blocked progress – the High Seas Alliance coalition issues a stern rebuke.
A triple-whammy of rising temperatures, increased acid levels and lack of oxygen is destroying the world’s oceans, according to scientists at the Rio+20 Earth Summit. Experts warn that small island states are being hit especially hard, with impacts on health, food and livelihoods.
While many sustainability veterans express frustration with our progress on the sustainable development agenda, they remain hopeful about the road ahead. Pioneers are optimistic about the ability of science and technology to empower courageous citizens. Others look to the “problem-solving” next generation—to take us forward.
Professor Alex Rogers, Scientific Director of the International Programme on the State of the Oceans (IPSO), reflects on a lack of progress on ocean protection in the twenty years since the original Earth Summit, and calls for greater action at Rio+20.
Oceans Inc presenter Charlotte Smith talks to Sue Lieberman of the Pew Environment Group about her aspirations for the Rio+20 Earth Summit and her views of the new Global Partnership for Oceans announced by the UN and the World Bank.
More than 80 governments, organisations and private companies have signed up for a new Global Partnership for the Oceans at the Rio+20 Earth Summit. The World Bank initiative focuses on reducing pollution, protecting habitat and sustainable fishing.
Sustainability optimists speak of an era of convergence – a coming together of new technologies and new business models to create a 21st century economy. Collaboration and a shared vision will open the door to these new opportunities.
The first ripples of change often begin with civil society. Over time NGOs have used their speed, activism and collaborative approaches to influence actors within the UN process, as well as private sector players.
The onus falls on government to give us the systems, incentives and regulatory frameworks to enable sustainable development. We hope to see a sense of shared vision and objectives by governments at Rio+20, but historically, governments have shown a lack of courage.
