The%20Biden%20administration%20unveiled%20a%20new%20plan%20to%20work%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20mitigate%20and%20adapt%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20President%20Joe%20Biden%20announced%20the%20publication%20of%20the%20first%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20in%20U.S.%20history%20at%20the%20White%20House%20Conservation%20in%20Action%20Summit%2C%20during%20which%20he%20also%20officially%20named%20two%20new%20national%20monuments%20and%20asked%20the%20Secretary%20of%20Commerce%20to%20consider%20a%20National%20Marine%20Sanctuary%20in%20the%20U.S.%20waters%20surrounding%20the%20Pacific%20Remote%20Islands.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20reduce%20emissions%20by%20building%20offshore%20wind%20farms%2C%20better%20protect%20our%20coastal%20and%20fishing%20communities%20from%20worsening%20storms%2C%20changing%20fisheries%20and%20other%20impacts%20on%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Biden%20said%2C%20as%20USA%20TODAY%20reported.%20%0A%0AThe%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20has%20three%20main%20goals%3A%20%0A%0AAchieve%20carbon%20neutrality.%0AWork%20with%20the%20oceans%20to%20develop%20nature-based%20solutions%20to%20store%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20reduce%20the%20risk%20from%20the%20climate%20crisis%20and%20protect%20communities%20and%20ecosystems%20from%20inevitable%20changes.%0AWork%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20boost%20the%20resilience%20of%20communities%20to%20those%20same%20changes.%0A%0ATo%20accomplish%20these%20goals%2C%20the%20report%20underscored%20eight%20priority%20actions%2C%20among%20them%20boosting%20offshore%20wind%20and%20other%20ocean-based%20renewable%20energy%20projects%2C%20decarbonizing%20maritime%20shipping%2C%20conserving%20and%20restoring%20marine%20and%20coastal%20carbon%20sinks%20and%20creating%20more%20marine%20protected%20areas.%20The%20Biden%20administration%20has%20already%20promised%20to%20protect%2030%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20land%20and%20water%20by%202030.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CGuiding%20these%20actions%20is%20a%20commitment%20to%20be%20responsible%20stewards%20of%20a%20healthy%20and%20sustainable%20ocean%3B%20advance%20environmental%20justice%3B%20engage%20with%20communities%2C%20Tribal%20Nations%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Peoples%3B%20act%20based%20on%20evidence%2C%20science%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Knowledge%3B%20and%20integrate%20and%20coordinate%20actions%20across%20the%20Federal%20Government%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Policy%20Committee%20co-chairs%20Arati%20Prabhakar%20and%20Brenda%20Mallory%20wrote%20in%20a%20letter%20introducing%20the%20plan.%20%0A%0AThe%20Biden%20administration%20first%20announced%20its%20intention%20to%20draft%20an%20ocean%20climate%20plan%20to%20celebrate%20World%20Ocean%20Day%20of%202022.%20The%20final%20publication%20was%20widely%20welcomed%20by%20ocean%20advocacy%20groups.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20is%20the%20first%20comprehensive%20approach%20that%20the%20U.S.%20has%20taken%20to%20leveraging%20the%20power%20of%20the%20ocean%20in%20the%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Defense%20Initiative%20Director%20Jean%20Flemma%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20emailed%20to%20EcoWatch.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20plan%20should%20inspire%20a%20ripple%20effect%20of%20powerful%20climate%20actions%20from%20coast-to-coast%20that%20will%20slash%20emissions%20and%20help%20frontline%20communities.%20Still%2C%20a%20plan%20is%20only%20as%20strong%20as%20its%20implementation.%20We%20look%20forward%20to%20working%20with%20the%20Biden%20Administration%20to%20ensure%20strong%20ocean%20climate%20action%20policies%20are%20adopted%20across%20federal%20agencies%20and%20help%20the%20communities%20that%20need%20it%20most.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASome%20concerns%20about%20implementation%20include%20the%20broader%20impact%20of%20certain%20ocean-based%20climate%20solutions%20highlighted%20for%20study%2C%20Inside%20Climate%20News%20noted.%20One%20such%20project%20would%20seed%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean%20with%20minerals%20that%20would%20encourage%20the%20growth%20of%20photosynthetic%20plankton.%20This%20would%20draw%20down%20carbon%20dioxide%20but%20might%20disrupt%20other%20natural%20marine%20cycles.%20Overall%2C%20however%2C%20ocean%20advocates%20are%20happy%20to%20see%20recognition%20of%20the%20role%20the%20ocean%20already%20plays%20in%20lessening%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20as%20it%20absorbs%20around%2090%20percent%20of%20extra%20warming.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COcean%20policy%20is%20often%20overlooked%20in%20discussions%20of%20climate%20action%20and%20climate%20solutions%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%20Senior%20Director%20of%20Federal%20Policy%20Lara%20Levison%20told%20USA%20TODAY.%20%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20so%20much%20emphasis%20on%20what%E2%80%99s%20happening%20on%20land%20and%20not%20nearly%20enough%20focus%20on%20the%20ocean.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20overall%20praised%20the%20plan%2C%20but%20urged%20the%20administration%20to%20do%20more%20to%20limit%20offshore%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling.%20Recently%2C%20Biden%20has%20come%20under%20fire%20for%20approving%20the%20controversial%20Willow%20oil%20drilling%20project%20in%20Alaska.%20In%20its%20most%20recent%20report%2C%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Panel%20on%20Climate%20Change%20has%20said%20that%20existing%20fossil%20fuel%20projects%20would%20take%20up%20the%20carbon%20budget%20for%20limiting%20warming%20to%201.5%20degrees%20Celsius%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20reassuring%20that%20President%20Biden%20is%20taking%20the%20climate%20crisis%20seriously%20and%20ensuring%20that%20our%20oceans%20are%20factored%20into%20the%20plan%20to%20address%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%E2%80%99s%20Vice%20President%20for%20the%20United%20States%20Beth%20Lowell%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CTo%20date%2C%20our%20oceans%20have%20helped%20protect%20us%20from%20the%20worst%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20we%20know%20they%20can%20play%20an%20outsized%20role%20in%20keeping%20the%20planet%20from%20warming%20to%20catastrophic%20levels.%20But%20in%20order%20for%20that%20to%20happen%2C%20countries%20like%20the%20United%20States%20must%20stop%20the%20expansion%20of%20dirty%20and%20dangerous%20offshore%20drilling.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20has%20calculated%20that%2C%20if%20the%20U.S.%20government%20banned%20offshore%20drilling%20in%20unleased%20federal%20waters%2C%20it%20could%20prevent%20more%20than%2019%20billion%20tons%20of%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20from%20entering%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20stave%20off%20more%20than%20%24720%20billion%20in%20damages.

Nation’s First Ocean Climate Action Plan

After%20almost%2020%20years%20of%20talks%2C%20United%20Nations%20member%20states%20agree%20on%20legal%20framework%20for%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean%20outside%20national%20boundaries.%20It%20has%20been%20almost%20two%20decades%20in%20the%20making%2C%20but%20late%20on%20Saturday%20night%20in%20New%20York%2C%20after%20days%20of%20gruelling%20round-the-clock%20talks%2C%20UN%20member%20states%20finally%20agreed%20on%20a%20treaty%20to%20protect%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AA%20full%20day%20after%20the%20deadline%20for%20talks%20had%20officially%20passed%2C%20the%20conference%20president%2C%20Rena%20Lee%20of%20Singapore%2C%20took%20to%20the%20floor%20of%20room%202%20of%20the%20UN%20headquarters%20in%20New%20York%20and%20announced%20that%20the%20treaty%20had%20been%20agreed.%20At%20a%20later%20date%2C%20the%20delegates%20will%20meet%20for%20half%20a%20day%20to%20formally%20adopt%20the%20text.%20She%20made%20it%20clear%20the%20text%20would%20not%20be%20reopened.%0A%0AIt%20has%20been%20almost%20two%20decades%20in%20the%20making%2C%20but%20late%20on%20Saturday%20night%20in%20New%20York%2C%20after%20days%20of%20gruelling%20round-the-clock%20talks%2C%20UN%20member%20states%20finally%20agreed%20on%20a%20treaty%20to%20protect%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AA%20full%20day%20after%20the%20deadline%20for%20talks%20had%20officially%20passed%2C%20the%20conference%20president%2C%20Rena%20Lee%20of%20Singapore%2C%20took%20to%20the%20floor%20of%20room%202%20of%20the%20UN%20headquarters%20in%20New%20York%20and%20announced%20that%20the%20treaty%20had%20been%20agreed.%20At%20a%20later%20date%2C%20the%20delegates%20will%20meet%20for%20half%20a%20day%20to%20formally%20adopt%20the%20text.%20She%20made%20it%20clear%20the%20text%20would%20not%20be%20reopened.%0A%0AThe%20historic%20treaty%20is%20crucial%20for%20enforcing%20the%2030x30%20pledge%20made%20by%20countries%20at%20the%20UN%20biodiversity%20conference%20in%20December%2C%20to%20protect%20a%20third%20of%20the%20sea%20(and%20land)%20by%202030.%20Without%20a%20treaty%2C%20this%20target%20would%20certainly%20fail%2C%20as%20until%20now%20no%20legal%20mechanism%20existed%20to%20set%20up%20MPAs%20on%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0ACovering%20almost%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20ocean%20that%20lies%20outside%20national%20boundaries%2C%20the%20treaty%20will%20provide%20a%20legal%20framework%20for%20establishing%20vast%20marine%20protected%20areas%20(MPAs)%20to%20protect%20against%20the%20loss%20of%20wildlife%20and%20share%20out%20the%20genetic%20resources%20of%20the%20high%20seas.%20It%20will%20establish%20a%20conference%20of%20the%20parties%20(Cop)%20that%20will%20meet%20periodically%20and%20enable%20member%20states%20to%20be%20held%20to%20account%20on%20issues%20such%20as%20governance%20and%20biodiversity.%0A%0AOcean%20ecosystems%20produce%20half%20the%20oxygen%20we%20breathe%2C%20represent%2095%25%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20biosphere%20and%20soak%20up%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20as%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20carbon%20sink.%20Yet%20until%20now%2C%20fragmented%20and%20loosely%20enforced%20rules%20governing%20the%20high%20seas%20have%20rendered%20this%20area%20more%20susceptible%20than%20coastal%20waters%20to%20exploitation.%0A%0AVeronica%20Frank%2C%20political%20adviser%20for%20Greenpeace%2C%20said%20that%20while%20the%20organisation%20hadn%E2%80%99t%20seen%20the%20latest%20text%2C%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20really%20happy.%20The%20world%20is%20so%20divided%20and%20to%20see%20multilateralism%20supported%20is%20so%20important.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%E2%80%99s%20really%20important%20is%20now%20to%20use%20this%20tool%20to%20develop%20this%2030x30%20target%20into%20force%20really%20quickly.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20Pew%20Charitable%20Trust%20welcomed%20the%20%E2%80%9Clandmark%20international%20agreement%E2%80%9D.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHigh%20seas%20marine%20protected%20areas%20can%20play%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Liz%20Karan%2C%20director%20of%20Pew%E2%80%99s%20ocean%20governance%20project.%20%E2%80%9CGovernments%20and%20civil%20society%20must%20now%20ensure%20the%20agreement%20is%20adopted%20and%20rapidly%20enters%20into%20force%20and%20is%20effectively%20implemented%20to%20safeguard%20high%20seas%20biodiversity.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20High%20Ambition%20Coalition%20%E2%80%93%20which%20includes%20the%20EU%2C%20US%2C%20UK%20and%20China%20%E2%80%93%20were%20key%20players%20in%20brokering%20the%20deal%2C%20building%20coalitions%20instead%20of%20sowing%20division%20and%20showing%20willingness%20to%20compromise%20in%20the%20final%20days%20of%20talks.%20The%20Global%20South%20led%20the%20way%20in%20ensuring%20the%20treaty%20could%20be%20put%20into%20practice%20in%20a%20fair%20and%20equitable%20way.%0A%0AThe%20European%20commissioner%20for%20the%20environment%2C%20ocean%20and%20fisheries%2C%20Virginijus%20Sinkevi%C4%8Dius%2C%20described%20the%20agreement%20as%20a%20%E2%80%9Chistoric%20moment%20for%20the%20ocean%E2%80%9D%20and%20the%20culmination%20of%20more%20than%20a%20decade%20of%20work%20and%20international%20negotiations.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWith%20the%20agreement%20on%20the%20UN%20High%20Seas%20Treaty%2C%20we%20take%20a%20crucial%20step%20forward%20to%20preserve%20the%20marine%20life%20and%20biodiversity%20that%20are%20essential%20for%20us%20and%20the%20generations%20to%20come%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%20%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20also%20a%20proof%20of%20strengthened%20multilateral%20cooperation%20with%20our%20partners%20and%20a%20major%20asset%20to%20implement%20our%20COP%2015%20goal%20for%2030%25%20ocean%20protection.%20I%20am%20very%20proud%20of%20our%20outcome.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMichael%20Imran%20Kanu%2C%20the%20head%20of%20the%20African%20Group%20and%20ambassador%20and%20deputy%20permanent%20representative%20to%20the%20UN%20for%20legal%20affairs%20of%20Sierra%20Leone%2C%20said%20the%20treaty%20was%20%E2%80%9Crobust%20and%20ambitious%E2%80%9D.%20Kanu%2C%20who%20expressed%20concerns%20during%20talks%20over%20the%20fair%20and%20equitable%20sharing%20of%20benefits%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20really%20achieved%20amazing%20results%E2%80%9D%20on%20this%20issue.%20Monetary%20and%20non-monetary%20benefits%20would%20be%20shared%20and%20an%20initial%20upfront%20fund%20would%20be%20set%20up%20under%20the%20treaty.%20He%20welcomed%20the%20adoption%20of%20the%20%E2%80%9Ccommon%20heritage%20of%20humankind%E2%80%9D%20as%20a%20key%20principle%20for%20the%20high%20seas%2C%20which%20was%20a%20red%20line%20for%20many%20developing%20states.%20%E2%80%9CThat%20was%20significant%20for%20us%E2%80%9D%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0AIt%20is%20the%20third%20time%20in%20less%20than%20a%20year%20that%20member%20states%20have%20hunkered%20down%20in%20the%20UN%E2%80%99s%20headquarters%20in%20New%20York%20to%20thrash%20out%20a%20%E2%80%9Cfinal%E2%80%9D%20deal.%20The%20negotiations%2C%20which%20ran%20over%20two%20weeks%20from%2020%20February%20were%20the%20fifth%20round%20of%20talks%20after%20earlier%20negotiations%20ended%20last%20August%20without%20agreement.%0A%0AThat%20an%20agreement%20was%20reached%20between%20193%20nations%20at%20all%2C%20was%20a%20huge%20achievement%2C%20but%20conservationists%20say%20it%20leaves%20significant%20scope%20for%20improvement.%20In%20particular%2C%20countries%20agreed%20that%20existing%20bodies%20already%20responsible%20for%20regulating%20activities%20such%20as%20fisheries%2C%20shipping%20and%20deep-sea%20mining%20could%20continue%20to%20do%20so%20without%20having%20to%20carry%20out%20environmental%20impact%20assessments%20laid%20out%20by%20the%20treaty.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20key%20stumbling%20blocks%2C%20which%20divided%20developing%20and%20developed%20nations%2C%20was%20how%20to%20fairly%20share%20marine%20genetic%20resources%20(MGR)%20and%20the%20eventual%20profits.%20MGR%2C%20which%20consist%20of%20the%20genetic%20material%20of%20deep-sea%20marine%20sponges%2C%20krill%2C%20corals%2C%20seaweeds%20and%20bacteria%2C%20are%20attracting%20increasing%20scientific%20and%20commercial%20attention%20due%20to%20their%20potential%20use%20in%20medicines%20and%20cosmetics.%0A%0AOthers%20sticking%20points%20included%20the%20procedure%20for%20creating%20marine%20protected%20areas%20and%20the%20model%20for%20environmental%20impact%20studies%20of%20planned%20activities%20on%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AIn%20a%20move%20seen%20as%20an%20attempt%20to%20build%20trust%20between%20rich%20and%20poor%20countries%2C%20the%20European%20Union%20pledged%20%E2%82%AC40m%20(%2442m)%20in%20New%20York%20to%20facilitate%20the%20ratification%20of%20the%20treaty%20and%20its%20early%20implementation.%0A%0AMonica%20Medina%2C%20the%20US%20assistant%20secretary%20for%20oceans%2C%20international%20environment%20and%20scientific%20affairs%2C%20who%20attended%20the%20negotiations%20in%20New%20York%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20leave%20here%20with%20the%20ability%20to%20create%20protected%20areas%20in%20the%20high%20seas%20and%20achieve%20the%20ambitious%20goal%20of%20conserving%2030%25%20of%20the%20ocean%20by%202030.%20And%20the%20time%20to%20start%20is%20now.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AShe%20said%20the%20US%20was%20pleased%20to%20agree%20on%20the%20major%20element%20of%20a%20high%20seas%20treaty%20that%20includes%20a%20strong%2C%20coordinated%20approach%20to%20establishing%20marine%20protected%20areas.%0A%0ARebecca%20Hubbard%2C%20director%20of%20the%20High%20Seas%20Alliance%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CFollowing%20a%20two-week-long%20rollercoaster%20of%20a%20ride%20of%20negotiations%20and%20superhero%20efforts%20in%20the%20last%2048%20hours%2C%20governments%20reached%20agreement%20on%20key%20issues%20that%20will%20advance%20protection%20and%20better%20management%20of%20marine%20biodiversity%20in%20the%20high%20seas.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhat%20happens%20on%20the%20high%20seas%20will%20no%20longer%20be%20%E2%80%98out%20of%20sight%2C%20out%20of%20mind%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Jessica%20Battle%20of%20WWF%20in%20a%20statement%20after%20leading%20the%20group%E2%80%99s%20team%20at%20the%20negotiations.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20now%20look%20at%20the%20cumulative%20impacts%20on%20our%20ocean%20in%20a%20way%20that%20reflects%20the%20interconnected%20blue%20economy%20and%20the%20ecosystems%20that%20support%20it.%E2%80%9D

UN states agree historic deal to protect high seas

Delegations%20from%20hundreds%20of%20countries%20will%20meet%20in%20New%20York%20this%20week%20in%20an%20attempt%20to%20hammer%20out%20a%20new%20legally%20binding%20ocean%20protection%20treaty%20that%20green%20groups%20believe%20will%20decide%20whether%20efforts%20to%20safeguard%20global%20biodiversity%20can%20succeed.%0A%0ALast%20August%2C%20an%20earlier%20round%20of%20talks%20on%20the%20new%20United%20Nations%20ocean%20conservation%20treaty%20were%20suspended%2C%20with%20countries%20unable%20to%20reach%20an%20agreement%20on%20financing.%20Sharing%20the%20proceeds%20of%20%22marine%20genetic%20resources%22%20and%20the%20establishment%20of%20ocean%20environmental%20impact%20assessment%20rules%20for%20development%20were%20also%20major%20sticking%20points.%0A%0AExperts%20familiar%20with%20the%20negotiations%20said%20major%20parties%20have%20now%20moved%20closer%20together%20on%20key%20issues%20as%20new%20talks%20begin%2C%20though%20compromises%20were%20still%20being%20sought.%0A%0A%22There%20seems%20to%20be%20an%20appetite%20to%20actually%20finalise%20the%20treaty%20now%2C%22%20said%20Jessica%20Battle%2C%20ocean%20expert%20at%20the%20Worldwide%20Fund%20for%20Nature.%0A%0A%22There%20are%20several%20countries%20who%20are%20looking%20for%20some%20concessions%20to%20be%20made%2C%20but%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20day%20what%20is%20really%20important%20is%20that%20the%20treaty%20doesn't%20get%20too%20watered%20down%2C%22%20she%20said%2C%20noting%20that%20one%20attempt%20to%20exclude%20fishing%20from%20the%20treaty%20had%20already%20been%20defeated.%0A%0AThe%20success%20of%20the%20talks%2C%20scheduled%20to%20run%20until%20March%203%2C%20still%20%22hinge%20on%20the%20finance%20question%22%2C%20said%20Li%20Shuo%2C%20global%20policy%20advisor%20at%20Greenpeace%2C%20and%20China%20is%20set%20to%20be%20a%20major%20player%20in%20the%20negotiations%2C%20especially%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20bringing%20other%20developing%20nations%20on%20board.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Greenpeace%2C%2011%20million%20square%20kilometres%20(4.25%20million%20square%20miles)%20of%20ocean%20must%20be%20protected%20every%20year%20between%20now%20and%20the%20end%20of%20the%20decade%20if%20a%20target%20of%20protecting%2030%25%20of%20the%20world's%20land%20and%20sea%20by%202030%20-%20known%20as%20%2230%20by%2030%22%20-%20is%20to%20be%20met.%0A%0AChina's%20foreign%20ministry%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20that%20it%20was%20working%20hard%20to%20achieve%20%22a%20high-quality%20agreement%20that%20takes%20conservation%20and%20sustainable%20use%20into%20account%20and%20can%20be%20generally%20accepted%20by%20the%20international%20community.%22%0A%0AHow%20to%20share%20the%20proceeds%20from%20ocean%20industrial%20development%2C%20including%20the%20use%20of%20marine%20genetic%20resources%20in%20pharmaceuticals%20and%20other%20industries%2C%20will%20also%20be%20a%20crucial%20factor%20for%20China%2C%20which%20is%20already%20home%20to%20six%20of%20the%2010%20biggest%20global%20companies%20that%20run%20high%20seas%20fishing%20fleets.%0A%0A%22Genetic%20resources%20and%20the%20issue%20of%20finance%20will%20be%20the%20end%20game%2C%22%20said%20Greenpeace's%20Li.

UN ocean treaty talks resume to save biodiversity

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France votes to ban deep-sea mining in its waters

UN%20member%20states%20will%20gather%20in%20New%20York%20to%20hammer%20out%20a%20long-awaited%20treaty%20that%2C%20if%20agreed%2C%20will%20govern%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20last%2C%20lawless%20wilderness%3A%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0ATwo%20hundred%20nautical%20miles%20beyond%20the%20territorial%20waters%20and%20jurisdiction%20of%20nations%2C%20the%20high%20seas%20have%20been%20treated%20%E2%80%9Crecklessly%E2%80%9D%2C%20according%20to%20environmental%20groups.%0A%0AWarning%20that%20the%20outcome%20of%20the%20talks%20%E2%80%93%20which%20run%20from%20Monday%20until%2026%20August%2C%20will%20determine%20the%20fate%20of%20the%20ocean%20for%20generations%2C%20they%20are%20urging%20world%20leaders%20to%20agree%20to%20an%20ambitious%2C%20legally%20binding%20treaty%20to%20protect%20marine%20life%20and%20to%20reverse%20biodiversity%20loss.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20high%20seas%20epitomise%20the%20tragedy%20of%20the%20commons%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Marco%20Lambertini%20director%20general%20of%20WWF%20International.%20%E2%80%9CBecause%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%20belong%20to%20anyone%2C%20they%20have%20been%20treated%20recklessly%20with%20impunity.%20We%20need%20a%20common%20governance%20mechanism%20for%20our%20oceans%20to%20ensure%20that%20nobody%E2%80%99s%20waters%20become%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20waters%20%E2%80%93%20and%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20responsibility.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20high%20seas%2C%20which%20lie%20beyond%20the%20exclusive%20economic%20zones%20(EEZ)%20of%20nations%20and%20make%20up%20two-thirds%20of%20the%20ocean%2C%20play%20a%20vital%20role%20in%20supporting%20fisheries%2C%20providing%20habitats%20for%20ecosystems%20crucial%20for%20planetary%20health%20and%20mitigating%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20But%20only%201%25%20of%20the%20high%20seas%20are%20protected.%0A%0AAwa%20Traor%C3%A9%2C%20oceans%20campaigner%20at%20Greenpeace%20Africa%2C%20said%20in%20the%20two%20decades%20governments%20have%20been%20discussing%20a%20high%20seas%20treaty%2C%20marine%20life%20has%20suffered.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHere%20in%20west%20Africa%2C%20we%E2%80%99ve%20already%20seen%20fish%20stocks%20severely%20depleted%20by%20industrial%20fishing%20vessels%2C%20often%20from%20Europe%2C%20and%20this%20is%20already%20harming%20livelihoods%20and%20food%20security%20across%20the%20region%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Traor%C3%A9.%20%E2%80%9CAny%20further%20delays%20would%20be%20a%20slap%20in%20the%20face%20to%20all%20who%20put%20faith%20in%20political%20leaders%20keeping%20their%20promises.%20Delegates%20must%20follow%20through%20on%20their%20governments%E2%80%99%20commitments%2C%20and%20finalise%20an%20ambitious%20global%20ocean%20treaty%20now.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AFifty%20nations%20have%20pledged%20to%20protect%2030%25%20of%20the%20planet%E2%80%99s%20land%20and%20seas%20by%202030.%20But%20without%20an%20agreement%2C%20these%20pledges%20will%20have%20no%20legal%20basis%20in%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AThis%20month%E2%80%99s%20talks%20are%20the%20second%20attempt%20this%20year%20to%20reach%20an%20agreement%20on%20the%20high%20seas.%0A%0AAt%20a%20UN%20ocean%20conference%20in%20June%2C%20UN%20secretary-general%2C%20Ant%C3%B3nio%20Guterres%2C%20declared%20an%20%E2%80%9Cocean%20emergency%E2%80%9D%20and%20suggested%20the%20%E2%80%9Cegoism%E2%80%9D%20of%20some%20governments%20was%20hampering%20efforts%20to%20agree%20a%20high%20seas%20treaty.%20At%20the%20same%20conference%20in%20Lisbon%2C%20Rena%20Lee%2C%20president%20of%20the%20intergovernmental%20conference%20on%20BBNJ%20(biodiversity%20beyond%20national%20jurisdiction)%2C%20who%20will%20chair%20the%20New%20York%20treaty%20talks%2C%20told%20delegates%3A%20%E2%80%9CInstruct%20your%20negotiators%20to%20come%20to%20the%20fifth%20session%20with%20maximum%20flexibility%20to%20get%20to%20the%20finish%20line.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20ocean%20has%20a%20critical%20role%20in%20buffering%20the%20world%20from%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20by%20absorbing%20carbon%20dioxide%20as%20well%20as%2090%25%20of%20heat%20caused%20by%20warming.%20But%20sea%20levels%2C%20ocean%20heating%2C%20acidification%20and%20greenhouse%20gas%20concentrations%20all%20reached%20record%20levels%20last%20year%2C%20according%20to%20the%20World%20Meteorological%20Organisation%E2%80%99s%20state%20of%20the%20global%20climate%20report%2C%20hampering%20the%20ocean%E2%80%99s%20capacity%20as%20a%20carbon%20sink.%0A%0AOn%20Friday%2C%20the%20High%20Seas%20Alliance%2C%20a%20coalition%20of%2050%20environmental%20organisations%20will%20launch%20a%20%E2%80%9Ctreaty%20tracker%E2%80%9D%20to%20name%20and%20shame%20countries%20they%20say%20are%20dragging%20their%20heels%20during%20negotiations.%0A%0AThe%20alliance%20will%20grade%20each%20country%E2%80%99s%20negotiating%20positions%2C%20with%20a%20%E2%80%9Chigh%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%9Clow%E2%80%9D%20or%20%E2%80%9Cbusiness%20as%20usual%E2%80%9D%20level%20of%20ambition.%20Hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20have%20signed%20petitions%20urging%20all%20193%20nations%20to%20deliver%20a%20strong%20treaty%20that%20will%20protect%2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Leaders meet to pass a UN treaty to protect oceans

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Tiny Pacific island will protect 100% of its ocean

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20these%20ecosystems%20are%20home%20to%2025%20per%20cent%20of%20all%20marine%20life%2C%20which%20accounts%20for%20more%20than%20one%20million%20species.%0A%0AOver%20the%20past%20few%20years%2C%20reefs%20around%20the%20globe%20have%20experienced%20coral%20bleaching%20as%20the%20result%20of%20higher%20temperatures%20caused%20by%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%2C%20according%20to%20the%20International%20Union%20for%20Conservation%20of%20Nature%20(IUCN).%0A%0AA%20rise%20of%201%E2%80%932%C2%B0C%20in%20marine%20temperatures%20over%20a%20few%20months%20can%20lead%20to%20bleaching%2C%20which%20turns%20the%20corals%20white.%20The%20bleaching%20may%20lead%20to%20the%20death%20of%20vast%20areas%20of%20coral.%20The%20Great%20Barrier%20Reef%20suffered%20from%20catastrophic%20bleaching%20in%202016%2C%20leading%20to%20the%20death%20of%20almost%2050%20per%20cent%20of%20its%20corals.

90% of coral reefs could be dead in 30 years

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Australia pumps cash into Great Barrier Reef

Representatives%20from%20more%20than%20100%20countries%20have%20committed%20to%20measures%20aimed%20at%20preserving%20the%20ocean%20from%20human%20harm%2C%20including%20stepping%20up%20the%20fight%20against%20illegal%20fishing%2C%20cutting%20plastic%20pollution%20and%20better%20protecting%20international%20waters.%0A%0AThe%20French%20president%2C%20Emmanuel%20Macron%2C%20hosting%20the%20high-level%20session%20of%20the%20One%20Ocean%20summit%20on%20Friday%2C%20said%202022%20was%20%E2%80%9Ca%20decisive%20year%2C%20and%20we%20should%20take%20here%2C%20in%20Brest%2C%20clear%20and%20firm%20commitments.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20US%20climate%20envoy%2C%20John%20Kerry%2C%20said%20it%20was%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20ocean%20that%20makes%20life%20on%20Earth%20possible%2C%20produces%20more%20than%20half%20of%20the%20oxygen%20we%20breathe%20%E2%80%93%20and%20even%20that%20is%20at%20risk.%20The%20ocean%20and%20climate%20are%20inextricably%20linked.%20They%E2%80%99re%20one%20and%20the%20same.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%2027%20EU%20states%20and%2016%20others%20agreed%20to%20pursue%20a%20global%20agreement%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20year%20to%20regulate%20the%20sustainable%20use%20of%20the%20high%20seas%20%E2%80%93%20waters%20lying%20outside%20any%20one%20country%E2%80%99s%20jurisdiction%20%E2%80%93%20and%20preserve%20their%20biodiversity.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20so%20close%2C%20but%20we%20need%20to%20push%20%5Bto%20get%20the%20treaty%20signed%20in%202022%5D%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20European%20Commission%20president%2C%20Ursula%20von%20der%20Leyen%2C%20told%20the%20summit.%20The%20hope%20is%20for%20a%20fourth%20and%20final%20round%20of%20UN%20negotiations%20to%20reach%20agreement%20in%20New%20York%20in%20March.%0A%0APeggy%20Kalas%2C%20of%20the%20High%20Seas%20Alliance%2C%20said%20the%20announcement%20was%20%E2%80%9Ca%20timely%20and%20important%20commitment%20to%20protect%20our%20global%20commons%E2%80%9D.%20But%20Fran%C3%A7ois%20Chartier%2C%20of%20Greenpeace%20France%2C%20said%20activists%20%E2%80%9Cexpect%20concrete%20measures%20on%20conservation%20mechanisms%20and%20governance%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AWhile%2030%20more%20countries%20also%20signed%20up%20to%20the%20so-called%2030x30%20coalition%2C%20which%20launched%20in%20January%202021%20and%20aims%20to%20protect%2030%25%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20land%20and%20sea%20by%202030%2C%20%E2%80%9Cclarifications%20are%20lacking%20on%20the%20level%20of%20protection%20for%20marine%20areas%20covered%E2%80%9D%2C%20Chartier%20said.%0A%0AFrance%20said%20it%20had%20exceeded%20the%20goal%20of%20classifying%2030%25%20of%20the%20land%20and%20marine%20spaces%20under%20its%20jurisdiction%20as%20protected%20areas%20after%20the%20creation%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20second%20largest%20marine%20protected%20area%2C%20around%20its%20southern%20and%20Antarctic%20lands.%0A%0AThe%20US%20said%20it%20would%20support%20opening%20talks%20at%20the%20UN%20for%20an%20international%20deal%20on%20plastic%20pollution%2C%20throwing%20its%20weight%20behind%20the%20EU27%20and%20about%2010%20other%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Bank%20for%20Reconstruction%20and%20Development%20(EBRD)%20joined%20the%20European%20Investment%20Bank%20(EIB)%20and%20the%20French%2C%20German%2C%20Italian%20and%20Spanish%20development%20banks%20in%20a%20%E2%80%9Cclean%20oceans%20initiative%E2%80%9D%20to%20reduce%20the%209m%20tonnes%20of%20plastic%20that%20end%20up%20in%20the%20ocean%20each%20year%2C%20pledging%20%E2%82%AC4bn%20of%20finance%20by%202025.%0A%0AHalf%20a%20dozen%20more%20countries%20joined%20a%20%E2%80%9Cplastics%20economy%20global%20commitment%E2%80%9D%20backed%20by%20the%20UN%20environment%20programme%20to%20help%20governments%20and%20businesses%20transition%20to%20a%20circular%20economy%20aimed%20at%20recycling%20or%20reusing%20100%25%20of%20all%20plastics.%0A%0AIn%20an%20effort%20to%20further%20curb%20illegal%2C%20unreported%20and%20unregulated%20fishing%2C%20which%20accounts%20for%20almost%20a%20fifth%20of%20global%20catches%2C%20six%20more%20countries%20committed%20to%20ratifying%20the%20International%20Maritime%20Organization%E2%80%99s%20Cape%20Town%20agreement%20setting%20safety%20standards%20for%20fishing%20boats.%0A%0ATwo%20more%20said%20they%20would%20ratify%20an%20agreement%20controlling%20fishing%20activities%20at%20ports%20where%20catches%20were%20landed%2C%20and%20several%20EU%20member%20states%20agreed%20to%20deploy%20their%20navies%20in%20overseas%20operations%20to%20step%20up%20surveillance%20of%20illegal%20fishing.%0A%0AMeanwhile%2C%2022%20European%20shipowners%20committed%20to%20new%20targets%20to%20cut%20underwater%20noise%2C%20emissions%2C%20residues%20and%20oil%20discharge%2C%2018%20ports%20around%20the%20world%20undertook%20to%20reduce%20dockside%20emissions%2C%20and%20Mediterranean%20countries%20together%20with%20the%20EU%20said%20they%20aimed%20to%20turn%20the%20Mediterranean%20into%20a%20low%20sulphur%20emission%20zone%20by%202025.%0A%0AFrance%20and%20Columbia%20announced%20a%20global%20%E2%80%9Cblue%20carbon%E2%80%9D%2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