Advertisement

World Ocean Day: Blinken 'encouraged' by global progress on conservation

On World Ocean Day, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken lauds progress made so far in achieving a so-called blue global economy. File photo by Peter Foley/UPI
1 of 2 | On World Ocean Day, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken lauds progress made so far in achieving a so-called blue global economy. File photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo

June 8 (UPI) -- On the occasion of World Ocean Day, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he's encouraged by global progress made in conservation.

Ocean conservation gained traction as a global concern in the late 1980s after the World Commission on Environment Development noted a lack of attention. The concept of a global day was introduced at an earth summit in 1992 and the day, June 8, was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008.

Advertisement

"On this World Ocean Day, I'm encouraged by global progress in protecting and conserving our ocean," Blinken said. "In 2022, the United States launched the Ocean Conservation Pledge, joined by 19 countries, committing to conserve 30% of our ocean by 2030."

The advocacy group Oceana in late May singled out Los Angeles, San Diego and New York City for banning single-use plastics, which are a growing source of toxicity in the world's oceans. Legislation moving through the state governments of Oregon and Washington, meanwhile, call for a phase-out of plastics that can take more than a hundred years to degrade.

"It is possible to combat plastic pollution -- one of the ocean's greatest threats," the conservation group said. "Putting in place local, state, and national policies to reduce plastics at the source will help protect the oceans, communities, and climate."

Advertisement

Elsewhere, April was the warmest month on record for the average ocean energy temperature. A marine heat wave is unfolding on a global scale that is setting records that have stood for decades, and forecasters say it could get worse in the coming months as El NiƱo takes hold in the Pacific Ocean.

Underwater heat waves occur when water temperatures in parts of the ocean are well above historical averages. Alone, these events are not uncommon, but the nature of multiple, widespread events across the world's oceans is alarming to scientists.

Blinken added Thursday that the U.S. government is working toward a sustainable and "blue" economy that protects the world's oceans.

"We will continue to build upon this global momentum to protect our ocean for all those who depend on it and for all to enjoy," he said.

Latest Headlines