A healthy ocean is critical to solving global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity. However, the health of the ocean has steadily declined in recent decades.

Last year, there were multiple high-level opportunities for decision-makers to take significant, meaningful action and raise the collective ambition in pursuit of a healthy and sustainable ocean, but did 2022 live up to its "Super Year" name?

It began with the passage of a resolution by the UN Environment Assembly 5 to produce the world’s first international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Later, the World Trade Organization’s agreement on harmful fisheries subsidies was met after 21 years of negotiations.

Despite this global progress toward a more sustainable world, the ocean and the benefits it provides remain at risk. Analysis shows the hottest temperatures recorded in the ocean in 2022, creating a serious cause for concern.

The 2022 commitments will not enact change in the water without meaningful implementation and action to back them up. Moreover, the "super year" is perhaps an unhelpful label when the window of opportunity to tackle the existential threats to our planet is closing. This year is therefore another critical year where commitments made must translate into ambitious tangible action. Ensuring the ocean’s health must become a continuous aspect of life on earth.

This year, there will be five major moments that can help make progress in restoring and maintaining ocean health:

  1. Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty negotiations (Feb. 20-March 3, New York)
  2. A focus on marine tourism and pollution at Our Ocean Conference (March 2-3, Panama)
  3.  Advancement of deep-sea mining regulations
  4. Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights
  5. Recognition of the ocean as a fundamental climate component

Read the full article about ocean moments by Katherine Pedder at GreenBiz.