World Ocean Aquarium
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The Sea Connects All Things ...why does fresh water matter? it is perfectly clear that we cannot sustain the ocean without sustaining our freshwater systems. we can no longer tolerate the continuous decline in quality and treatment at the source and expect that the ocean will remain unaffected by the volumes of waste and toxicity that cause red tides and dead seas. there is proof enough. the water cycle, from mountaintop to abyssal plain, is a continuous loop. no part can remain healthy as another part struggles to survive. From THE ONCE AND FUTURE OCEAN INSIDE notes toward a new hydraulic society by peter neill 256 pages 4 The Sea Connects All Things april, 2016 5 History and Mission 6 Communications Strategy 7 World Ocean Journal 8 World Ocean Aquairum 10 An Argument for Support 12 Site At-A-Glance 14 Social Engagement 15 World Ocean Radio 16 Partnerships & Collaborations 17 Earth Optimism Summit 18 About the World Ocean Observatory 19 The Once and Future Ocean 20 Mission The Sea connects all things by Peter Neill HISTORY: MISSION: In 1998, Mario Soares, To serve as a central place former President of Portugal, of exchange for ocean cultural traditions, and cooperative There are many other examples. What For many, the ocean is a place apart, a ocean exemplary, “father information, education and governance. underlies them all, however, is the Follow us on: vast wilderness extending beyond our of democracy,” organized public discourse; physical and psychological horizons, at understanding that just as there are the Independent WORLD Thus, when we envision the ocean as a social causes to these problems, there once alien and indifferent, fascinating COMMISSION ON THE To serve as an independent wilderness, we are ignoring the reality must also be social solutions. We and compelling, and about which we OCEANS to create an agenda forum and focus for ocean of the ocean as a domesticated place can complain and accuse and litigate, know very little. But consider these for the sustainability of the affairs; where humans have left their mark facts: much as we do for similar behavior oceans. The final report, throughout history, by exploration on land, but the true solution lies The Ocean Our Future, calls To advocate for the and exploitation, immigration and with our determination to deal with The oceanThe covers ocean 71%covers of the71% earth’s of the for an internet-based ocean ocean through an open, trade, and the exchange of custom and both the cause and effect of our need surface; earth’s surface; observatory to bring together worldwide network of culture. To look today from a satellite, to domesticate Nature—whether relevant information about communication; one can see that the ocean is marked terrestrial or marine—for human The oceanThe is oceana central is a elementcentral in the the health of the ocean. At the constantly by the tracks of ships, the use, and to engage in the dialogue recyclingelement and purification in the recycling of fresh and same time “the observatory To provide a window on tools of globalization through marine and change required to conserve and water; purification of fresh water; would serve as an interactive the future of the ocean transport as old as the ancient Chinese sustain all natural resources for the virtual observation site for all for the general public and in the Pacific, the Phoenicians in the benefit of all mankind. The oceanThe provides ocean provides40% of the40% world’sof the ocean-related information, decision-makers around Mediterranean, and the Vikings in the protein, world’sespecially protein, in developing especially in providing direct links to all the world; Atlantic. To inform this understanding is nations;developing nations; relevant sites.” the purpose of the World Ocean To inspire young Citizens What has changed over time, however, Observatory. More thanMore 200 than million 200 millionpeople people The World Ocean Observatory of the Ocean through is the impact of human population worldwideworldwide are dependent are dependent on the ocean on is the realization of that formal and informal growth whereby the use of the ocean for theirthe livelihood; ocean for their livelihood; recommendation. education worldwide. has increased to the moment when it evinces a shift from abundance to 65% of the65% world’s of the populationworld’s population lives Mario Soares passed away in scarcity and from accommodation to within 100lives miles within of an100 ocean miles coast. of an conflict. January of 2017. ocean coast. The reality is that the ocean is essential This is well-exemplified by the crisis to human survival, a primary source of in fisheries. Research has documented food, water, climate, and community – the collapse of certain species such as immediate, universal, and undeniable. cod that once formed the staple diet of WORLD OCEAN OBSERVATORY In short, the ocean is the determinant much of North America and Europe, a ecology in which we live: the sea result of a complex of causes to include is dedicated to information, education, and public unrestricted catch, the advent of new, connects all things. If, indeed, all discourse about the ocean defined as an integrated global social system. We believe that informed life is dependent on the ocean, then efficient gear and technology, and the this understanding calls for its new unwillingness of fishers, both artisinal citizens worldwide can unite to sustain the ocean through adaptation and change of human behavior definition as an inter-connected, global and industrial, to work cooperatively on land and sea. Our focus is the full spectrum of ocean issues: climate, fresh water, food, energy, trade, ecosystem that integrates natural toward a sustainable harvest. This transportation, public health, finance, governance, security, recreation, and culture. process, habitat, and species with problem was further compounded by human intervention and impact; as the difficulty of regulation, a result of Peter Neill is founder and director For fourteen years, World Ocean Observatory has advocated for the ocean through independent, a comprehensive social system that lack of jurisdiction outside of national of the World Ocean Observatory. He responsible, apolitical science, and has been committed to advancing public understanding of integrates human needs and actions; economic zones, the inability to is host of World Ocean Radio and and as a complex political system monitor or enforce quotas, and the ocean issues through institutional collaboration and partnership, pro-active programs, multiple is a regular contributor to maritime that integrates all peoples worldwide failure of governance to address the communications tools, and connection with individual subscribers around the world. publications, Medium.com, and the through economic interests, challenge. HuffingtonPost.com. It is our belief that the sea connects all things... A Communications Strategy The WORLD OCEAN remains critically challenged, and yet we must depend on it for every aspect of our future survival: fresh water, food, energy, and health. While the environmental community has made some progress in certain areas of regulation and conservation, that effort has not succeeded in building World Ocean Journal is an e-magazine on ocean culture and solutions to today’s ocean issues. Each volume includes essays, adequate public awareness, understanding, and political will. The WORLD OCEAN OBSERVATORY interviews, art, exhibits, and performances profiling the vital uniquely occupies that strategic niche as a major utility for ocean communication as a means to advance impacts of the ocean on our lives. Future editions focus on public awareness and political will, providing comprehensive resources on ocean issues through a weekly a particular theme. The 2016Journal theme, published in World Ocean Radio podcast; the World Ocean Forum blog; the World Ocean Aquarium as a means December, is fresh water and a new “hydraulic society.” to increase ocean literacy; a monthly newsletter; an annual e-magazine, the World Ocean Journal; an 18,000-member directory of ocean-related organizations located throughout the world; an extensive catalog of online resources; a dynamic You Tube channel with original and curated content on the major issues facing the world ocean today; a social network of hundreds of thousands of individuals and organizations; and multiple worldwide partnerships. It is the goal of the WORLD OCEAN OBSERVATORY to provide responsible science-based information to institutions, experts, students, teachers, and curious citizens around the world. In July 2013, the Ocean Exploration 2020 Forum took place in Long Beach, California, a gathering of 175 United States ocean exploration leadership charged by the U.S. Congress to recommend an oceanographic agenda and specific research goals and objectives actionable by 2020. The WORLD OCEAN OBSERVATORY was there, as were most of the major American research vessels, ocean institutes, universities with ocean programs, and ocean not-for-profits. The conference surveyed its participants and the prevailing priority was this: 94 percent of respondents recommended secondary education and public outreach as the most important recommendation for the future of American oceanographic research; 93 percent of respondents agreed that the science community must engage with the public in an active two-way dialogue to bolster support for ocean exploration; The overwhelming consensus was the need for education at the secondary school level, and for communications