WELCOME TO THE 2021-2030 UN OCEAN DECADE
BY MADYSON MILLER
“We are the future. We are the next generation. Our voices deserve to be heard. We deserve to have influence over the decisions being made about our oceans. We are the greatest stakeholders for the future of the ocean. We are ready to conquer this Ocean Decade!”
- Madyson Miller, 24, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Yes! You heard us right!! We are finally here, the 2021-2030 United Nations (UN) Ocean Decade! As we swim into the new year, we are full of hope and excitement for what the future holds. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development is all about reversing the damage to our planet that has created a decline in ocean health. The UN has 17 sustainable development goals: 1) no poverty, 2) zero hunger, 3) good health and well-being, 4) quality education, 5) gender equality, 6) clean water and sanitation, 7) affordable and clean energy, 8) decent work and economic growth, 9) industry, innovation, and infrastructure, 10) reduced inequalities, 11) sustainable cities and communities, 12) responsible consumption and production, 13) climate change, 14) life below water, 15) life on land, 16) peace, justice, and strong institutions, and 17) building partnerships for each goal. These goals start with us our actions. For example, providing quality education will help people around the world understand the pressing challenges of climate change. They will learn that climate change impacts life both below and above water, which directly influences family’s abilities to put food on the table. They will learn how climate change can spike a large economic loss to occur and how climate change does not promote responsible consumption or production. And so on. However, by educating people we can provide them with the skills they need to fight for their basic human rights, for clean water, and for sustainable development. And just like that we have reversed the cycle. The UN Ocean Decade is based around goal number 14, Life Below Water. It is focused on developing the science we need for the ocean we want and envisioning the ocean we need for the future we want.
But how do we get there?
Several people around the globe are working towards a brighter future. From marine biologists to local fisherman, we all want to live our best sustainable lives. Perhaps some of the most important voices of the Ocean Decade are teenagers and young adults. Our generation and the ones that follow will have to deal with the consequences of the past. We are therefore the greatest stakeholders for our oceans. Youths around the world are rising up! In the United States of America (including US Territories), a team of youths (13-25 years old) have come together to create the world’s first ever US Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade (USYACUNOD). The USYACUNOD allows youth to have a voice on important decisions being made for our oceans such as the Ocean Climate Action Plan (OCAP). While currently only the US has an established Youth Advisory Council, we want more!! All over the globe, youths are rising up, speaking about ocean-related problems, meeting with local governments, and taking time to alter their carbon footprints. If we do not rise up, then I fear our future will be bleak. The time to step up to the stage is now!
Photo by: Heirs to Our Oceans (www.h2oo.org)
“I’m excited for the opportunity of working with the YAC and the US National Committee to ensure that our policymakers are drafting laws that protect our society, oceans, and environment. I’m also incredibly proud to be representing Puerto Rico and being aware/part of the decision making taking place; especially since, most of the time, we lack the opportunity to express our concerns and voices.”
-Ailani M. Ocasio Ortiz, 17, Puerto Rico
You do not have to be a part of a Youth Advisory Council to make a difference! Some other ways to be involved include writing letters voicing your concerns to your local policy makers and government officials, joining or starting a club dedicated to the environment at your school/college, encouraging diversity and inclusion in the STEM field, working on minimizing your carbon footprint, networking with other youths and professionals, listening to your community, planning peaceful marches, organizing beach clean-ups, etc.
In the 2021-2030 Ocean Decade, youths want to make waves of change. We want to see improvements in our climate, halts to deep ocean drilling, reformed education, a healthy economy that utilizes sustainable ocean resources, clean water, and thriving populations of creatures below and above water. We want to change the world, one step at a time. As Kahu M. Kalani Souza, founder and director of the Olohana Foundation - Hawai’i says, “We aren’t necessarily trying to save the world, but more accurately, we want to help the world save us.”
Photos by (left to right): Sophia Mckenzie, United Nations: International Youth Day, Alisha Honer, Madyson Miller, Michaela Farnham, Ocean Mimic, Dan Mele Photography, Nicola Kennedy
"With the Ocean Decade finally here, the kickoff event is a perfect way to network and convene with like minded individuals. Assuring the interests of women are presently considered throughout the Decade is a priority we cannot neglect. As many are aware, there are unique and persisting gender related issues that make it all the more important to include women in the room when decision making and strategic planning takes place. I couldn't be more excited to embark on this opportunity with my fellow YAC members!"
- B. Eni Owoeye, 20, New York, USA