A healthy ocean is a powerful force for good, providing oxygen and food, economic benefits, and opportunities for recreation and spiritual renewal, while sustaining cultural traditions.

However, these ocean benefits do not flow equitably. A recent report from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy found “overwhelming evidence that current access to ocean benefits and resources, as well as exposure to harms, is distributed inequitably. This results in negative effects on the environment and human health, loss of livelihoods, limited financial opportunities for vulnerable groups and challenges to nutritional and food security.”

This distinguished group of national leaders called for centering ocean equity in ocean management to, “protect human rights, improve human well-being, stimulate inclusion and gender equity, and prioritise recognition, diversity and equal access to resources to provide fair opportunities consistent with sustainable development.”

Read the full article about ocean equity by Meg Caldwell at The David and Lucile Packard Foundation.