Statement by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Mr Henry Puna
The Ocean Decade: a global science movement to unlock climate action
3 November
The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy, H.E Ambassador Peter Thomson,
The UNESCO – IOC Executive Secretary, Mr. Vladimir Ryabinin
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
- Kia Orana, warm Pacific greetings to you all.
- Over the last month, we have heard repeatedly that this COP 26 is the “make it or break it” COP for:
- the future of humanity,
- the future of our children, and
- the future of our planet.
- An aspect of the climate change reality for our planet is the link between life on earth and the incredible biodiversity of all life below water.
Because of all the hats I have worn in my life, it has been my lived experiences as a fisher, a farmer of cultured pearls, a citizen of Oceania which inform the title I bear before you today.
As Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
As the Pacific Ocean Commissioner.
The Decade before us must absolutely inspire resourcing and action within the UNFCCC to deliver on the Oceans-Climate Nexus. For it is the Oceans-Climate nexus where our sea of islands truly leads the pathway to a 1.5 future.
The Ocean represents our collective identity as the Blue Pacific; it defines our culture; our relationships; and how we view the science.
The ways we know our world may not fit the science. We need to address that. As a famous Pacific poet once said:
“Your way, objective, analytic, always doubting the truth until proof comes, slowly, quietly and it hurts.
My way, subjective, gut-feeling like, always sure of the truth, the proof is there waiting, and it hurts.” (Poem by Konai Helu Thurman)
[State of the Ocean]
- Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,
- It is no secret that our Ocean is in trouble – some 60% of our world’s major marine ecosystems have been degraded and are being used unsustainably. Our ocean is getting warmer with every passing day, and acidity levels are on the rise. Ecosystems are in grave danger.
- And as the IPCC report confirms, the implications of these changes are not limited to life underwater – it is impacting our very livelihoods on land, also and indeed, throughout the Pacific.
- Too many of us take for granted the very fact, that the Ocean is the Planet’s largest climate regulator, generating 50% of the oxygen we breathe.
- Indeed, the science now bears our what our island knowledge has confirmed for some time.
Our Ocean is our greatest ally in the face of global warming. - But the Ocean’s resilience is not infinite, and we – you and me – cannot expect it to endlessly absorb, the effects of unsustainable human activities.
[Decade of Ocean Science and what this means for us]
- This Decade of Ocean Science is one of our best chances, to save the ocean. It is our last collective opportunity to work together, to learn more and innovate more, now that the science confirms what people of the Oceans know: that life below water is deeply connected to life above it.
- This is exactly what I hope we can achieve from this decade of Ocean Science – an ocean science revolution, which is fuelled by data and knowledge, to inform sound policy decision making.
- And when I say knowledge, I am saying it in the context of indigenous, Ocean-driven traditional knowledge. The science of reading skies and oceans in our rich sea-faring culture. The signs and symbols of our living Ocean speaking to life on land.
- This must not be alienated in favour of new scientific ideas, rather, I believe, that there is great opportunity in the nexus between science and traditional knowledge.
- To my mind, we cannot, and should not think about scientific solutions, without first reflecting on the achievements of our ancestors, who had navigated the vast Pacific Ocean, with nothing but their confidence in the stars, connection to the sea, and enthusiasm for the adventure.
- Indeed, I have been heartened by the efforts of our Pacific negotiators at the United Nations in New York. They have fought to ensure the new instrument on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdictions, recognizes the use of traditional knowledge alongside modern science.
- And today, at this event, I take inspiration from the Ocean once again, as I know it will provide the world with the science and knowledge, to unlocking climate action and solutions.
- For decades now, the Pacific has been at the forefront of the Ocean agenda, globally. It will frame our Blue Pacific’s Strategy towards 2050.
- But let us all be clear. We live in times where the old maps of the five Oceans must only embolden us to act for the future of our one Blue Ocean, for this, our one Blue Planet.
- Friends, our Blue Pacific continent has been galvanised by that mandate to put place globally pioneering political declarations and facilities, including
- the ground-breaking Declaration on preserving Maritime Zones in the face of climate-change related sea level rise.
- the innovative, contextualized regionally designed Pacific Resilience Facility
- and the full support of our political leadership on Ocean Governance.
- We are amongst some of the most diverse and distinct nations on the planet. But the level of our common unity on Oceans is undeniable and its working. Through collective strength, we will continue to stand for an active and strong Oceans-Climate nexus within the COP. We in the Pacific will be counting on you to stand with us, support us and work with us to make that happen.
- Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen.
- Our message is simple – let’s work together to restore the health of our Ocean. Let’s grasp the opportunity of this decade of Ocean Science to build our knowledge, and to inspire innovative solutions to our current challenges.
- Indeed, this is no longer a mere aspiration, but an immediate necessity — and it will only be possible through ambitious and innovative action.•
ENDS
