Blog #3 Lawless high seas threaten the planet

Our oceans are becoming increasingly endangered according to David Miliband, former foreign secretary claims that an environmental catastrophe with greater economic impact than the global financial crash is occurring on the high seas. The high seas, which encompass almost half of the earth’s surface is in jeopardy.  Over exploitation has caused trillions of dollars of fish catches to be lost. Within recent decades some of the most prominent hazards include: Pirate fishing, sea floor mining and rogue geo engineering. Miliman says that damaged caused to ocean life is harming the habitability of the whole planet. Currently the mismanagement of our ocean systems is detrimental to our future and it the time to reverse the effects are now. Miliman also implies that “we have been living as if there are three or four planets instead of one, and you can’t get away with that.” Miliman is heading the new global Ocean Commission where he will be joined by Nelson’s former Finance minister Trevor Manuel and the former president of Costa Rica, José María Figueres The launch (planned for this week) will introduce further commissioners, and more former heads of state with senior ministers from leading G20 nations. Professor Callum Roberts, a marine biologist at the University of York, said protection for the open oceans was desperately needed “The oceans make up 95% of the living space on the planet and what happens there is extremely important for the habitability of our planet, from oxygen production to dealing with carbon dioxide and other pollution. Our impact means the oceans will do that less well, with serious consequences for humanity” The new initiative put on by Miliman is one the best things that our oceans have fighting for it. Miliman states that“We are going to try to fashion practical solutions that are an environmental win and an economic win, and with a commission which is avowedly across north-south, east-west, rich-poor divides” The time will soon come to put these actions in affect.

Calling on the readings of Charon and Vigilant the issue at hand is in the perspective of conflict. There seems to be negligence on the part of the human population with increasing technology it has helped contribute to this problem yet it may be one of things that can help correct some of the problems to include: overfishing, pollution and sea floor mining. The problem will not be solved by technology alone, but knowing how to approach the issue will help tremendously in taking corrective action.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/09/lawless-high-seas


Christopher Roberts
2-15-13
1:17pm