Action, not words

The grim warning of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that South-East Asia’s biologically diverse coral reefs would disappear by the end of this century if no measures were taken now comes at a time when the whole world is focused more on climate changes than anything else. What is equally important in the ecological and biodiversity chain is oceans that occupy two-thirds of the Earth’s surface. Their importance in the weather cycle that produces monsoons needs no emphasis. It is the benign face of oceans. But they pack destructive power during hurricanes, tsunamis and storms. Understanding the nature of ocean currents and their behaviour is as quirky as predicting the weather. What lies below the ocean surface and on its bed is a world that defies our imagination. The Coral Triangle, a reef network that spans Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and East Timor, has more than 76 per cent of the world’s reef-building coral species and 35 per cent of its coral reef fish species. This coral treasure will be doomed unless the world cuts its carbon emissions by an average 25 per cent in another 10 years. We have been hearing about the doomsday scenarios for years. But what makes the latest WWF warning pertinent is it comes when over 80 countries were debating climate changes and oceans in Manado, Indonesia. It appears that policy makers and the scientific community have at last realised the need – or importance – for including oceans in the climate talks scheduled to be held in Copenhagen in December.

Participants at the World Ocean Conference have adopted a declaration promising to address some of the issues raised at the meet. These include reducing pollution of oceans; sustainable management of fisheries, protection of mangroves, wetlands and coral reefs. But the declaration is non-binding on participating countries. If previous declarations and agreements are any indication, they are being observed more in letter than in spirit. Oceans’ role in climate changes goes beyond the vagaries of weather. They are an important source of food and provide livelihood for millions of people in coastal areas. An equal number of people are dependent on ocean riches directly or indirectly. Seas and oceans also contain millions of tonnes of oil and minerals. They are home to thousands of marine species. The oceans’ existence, particularly their water level, is intrinsically linked to our life on the earth. If their level goes up due to melting of glaciers and Polar caps, which scientists have warned happening because of climatic changes, most of the coastal cities and low-lying islands will go down under the sea. Once we understand how climate changes affect oceans, and by inference our survival, we see the imperative need to include them in any future environmental talks or protocols.

Before reaching agreements, what is more important is, maritime countries should strive to lessen ocean pollution. That is not difficult given the kind of technology available and every country possesses. It is common that many countries release industrial effluents without treating them into the sea. Similarly, coastal towns and cities let the highly polluted sewage and toxic waste into the ocean. The contaminated sea water kills fish and all marine life in the surrounding area and the people who consume tainted sea food fall sick. Over-fishing is another problem that causes depletion of stocks and endangers species. That is already happening. The issues discussed at the ocean conference should not be left there itself. The countries that have attended it should follow them up to the next round of climate talks for action. Otherwise, the lofty statements made in Indonesia remain empty promises.