Ocean-Climate Ambition
Jan 26, 27 2021 was the Ocean-Climate Ambition Summit organized as a dialogue towards the cause. This summit was hosted by Sweden, Fiji, Norway, Chile, Costa Rica, Belgium, France, Indonesia, Mexico, Belize, Canada, Panama, Seychelles, and Spain.
Day 1: view here.
Day 2: view here.
The 5 common elements in this strong dialogue between everyone who spoke from Dr. Satyendra Prasad (Ambassador, Fiji), Isabella Lövin (Dep. PM, Sweden), State Secretary Holte (Norway), Andrés Allamand (Foreign Affairs Minister, Chile), Secretary John Kerry (US), and many others were:
1. Ocean and Climate
With the 21st and 22nd Conference of Parties, the COP21 and COP22 (2015-2016), the vital link between Climate and Ocean was broadly recognized.
The ocean has absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat in the climate system. It greatly buffered the impact we now experience and perceive around the world.
2. Identified problems affecting the blue jewel
Ocean’s ability to absorb the rising global temperature is at stake owing to:
Ocean acidification
Warming of the ocean
Coral degradation
Marine life degradation
3. The 30x30 Ambition
The importance of protecting the high seas under strict international laws.
The emphasis is about being able to protect and conserve atleast 30% of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030 - This is broadly referred to as 30x30 petition.
4. The fact
The fact that only 5% of international waters is currently protected is appalling. We are not mature until we consciously evolve as a species to identify that nature and the ecosystem around us are the admirable reality we live in and not the human ego.
5. Raising our Ambitions
Importance of all countries raising their ambitions for their role in protecting the environment at large and the climate.
My thoughts
The dialogue did shake a deeper feeling in me. It raised the ambitions I have for my planet - at first, being more mindful about the trash I generate and the ways I dispose/reuse/recycle. I believe that trash is one of the most impactful Karma our soul could carry and something to be mindful of as an earth dweller.
Project Anantha
Not too far away, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India - canals and water channels were clogged with trash. A highly successful and well-organized project helped resolve decades-long flooding problem in Thampanoor and East Fort - two major access points in Thiruvananthapuram housing the main railway and bus stations respectively along with many businesses, hospitals, and market-places.
This project named Project Anantha is now 30% complete and is awaiting remaining funds to continue tackle what we as humans should be most proud of - keeping the ecosystem clean and efficient. The commendable endeavor was spearheaded by a team under the leadership of Biju Prabhakar IAS.
The project also helped reduce trash dumping and encroachment in three canals in Thiruvananthapuram - Thekkenakkara Canal, Amayizhanjan Canal, and Ulloor Canal.
This Polluted River Stretches Program Report is comprehensive with 116 pages of amazing information including the details of these major canals (maps, surveys, and infrastructure).
Amayizhanjan thodu - The canal where turtles travel
Below is an attempt at a serene clean ecosystem that Amayizhanjan canal could be.
It was my father who stimulated a splendid visualization of Amayizhanjan thodu when we discussed how cleanup drives like these could use help from ambitious people like myself.
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