A leading Caribbean international trade law and dispute settlement expert is at the forefront of a critical call to action, urging global leaders to recognise the vital connections between ocean health, human health, societal wellbeing, and the global economy.
Dr. Jan Yves Remy, Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and co-author of the Blue Paper commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, emphasises the need for urgent and coordinated efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 on ‘life below water’ which remains the least funded of all.
The Blue Paper, titled “How Can a Healthy Ocean Improve Human Health and Enhance Wellbeing on a Rapidly Changing Planet?”, provides robust evidence linking the health of our oceans to the wellbeing of humanity and the stability of the global economy. This document serves as a guide for heads of government and global leaders as they prepare to chart the next steps in addressing the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation and public health.
Authored by a team of international experts, including Dr. Remy, the paper identifies two primary goals: first, to systematically catalogue ocean-based opportunities for enhancing human health and well-being; and second, to offer policymakers an evidence-based menu of achievable actions that can equitably realise the ocean’s immense benefits while ensuring its protection for future generations.
The report emphasises the importance of cross-sectoral and cross-national partnerships, as well as the establishment of global governance structures that prioritise long-term sustainability over short-term economic gains. It calls for a shift away from traditional economic metrics like the gross domestic product (GDP), advocating instead for measures that value human and natural capital, address the root causes of the current planetary crisis, and promote justice and equity, especially for marginalised communities.
The Blue Paper also highlights the critical role that the healthcare sector can play in protecting ocean health. As trusted members of society, healthcare professionals are well-positioned to lead efforts to safeguard both human and ocean health. However, the paper notes that many in the healthcare sector are not yet sufficiently engaged in this work. It calls for innovative approaches to involve these persons in reducing its carbon footprint, managing medical waste, and promoting ocean literacy to foster science-based advocacy.
Three key actions are identified as essential for safeguarding both ocean and human health:
- Protect, Restore, and Manage Ocean Biodiversity: The document stresses the importance of ratifying and implementing international agreements such as the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Biodiversity Framework, the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). These agreements are crucial for protecting marine biodiversity, which is vital for developing marine medicines, biotechnology, and sustainable food sources.
- Combat Climate Change and Eliminate Pollution: The paper underscores the necessity of combatting climate change and preventing pollution to protect coastal populations and marine ecosystems. It urges nations to uphold their commitments to the Paris Agreement, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) outcomes, and the UN Global Plastics Treaty, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating plastic pollution.
- Improve Measurement and Support Equity: The paper calls for integrating indicators of ocean and human health into ongoing monitoring programmes and ensuring that these data are publicly accessible. This transparency is vital for informed decision making and effective management of ocean-human interactions.
As the world grapples with an unprecedented environmental crisis, the Blue Paper calls for a new vision of ocean citizenship and planetary stewardship. It stresses that immediate action is necessary, urging global leaders, businesses, communities, and individuals to collaborate in protecting the ocean and, in doing so, safeguard the health and well-being of future generations.
