Purpose
Oceans Day provides an opportunity for Parties and Observer States, intergovernmental organizations,
non-government organizations, and members of civil society to address the implications of the emerging
Copenhagen agreement for oceans, coasts, and coastal communities around the globe. Oceans Day will
highlight the direct link between climate change, the health of the oceans, and human well-being, as well
as the need for sufficient funding to support bold mitigation and adaptation actions that will minimize
climate change impacts on coastal communities and ocean resources.
Coastal communities and indigenous peoples, in both developed
and developing countries, as well as in small island developing
States (SIDS), are at the frontline of climate change
impacts. As the global community negotiates, carbon dioxide
continues to be emitted at an ever-increasing rate. The ocean,
as a result, has experienced an increase in acidity, altered circulation
patterns,warming, and a rise in sea level.Weather patterns
and precipitation events have also changed. These
changes will continue and are leading to increased “risks to
global food security, economic prosperity, and the well-being
of human populations” (Manado Declaration 2009). Such projected
impacts heighten the urgency to develop appropriate response
measures, take strong mitigation actions, and
implement innovative adaptationmeasures At the same time
we need to continue ocean observations and impact assessments
so we can adapt our actions as conditions continue to
change.
Oceans Day targets an audience of negotiators, high level officials,
experts, media, and interested members of the public.