Article by Nicola Tavoletta
La World Maritime Day, in English “World Maritime Day”, established by the United Nations, represents a crucial moment to reflect on the importance of the marine environment and the need to protect it. The objective of this anniversary is to increase the collective awareness on the vital value that the sea and oceans have for our planet, for biodiversity and for the very survival of humanity. The theme chosen for this year's edition - “Our ocean, our duty, our opportunity”- recalls the urgency of a common commitment to safeguarding this immense natural heritage.
Indeed, the sea is not only an extraordinary habitat for a multitude of living species, but it is also a fundamental pillar for global balance. Produces about 50% of the oxygen we breathe, regulates the planet's temperatures, sustains the economy through fishing, tourism and trade, and provides sustenance to billions of people. More than 80% of world trade takes place by sea, making sea routes a lifeblood for the international economic development.
However, this ecosystem is under increasing pressure. Plastic pollution, industrial discharges, intensive fishing, water acidification and global warming are just some of the threats that are compromising the health of the oceans. The warning signs are multiplying: coral reefs are bleaching, endangered marine species, declining oxygen levels and rising sea levels that put coastal communities at risk. In this context, protecting the oceans can no longer be considered an optional choice, but a moral, environmental and economic duty involving every sector of society.
Defending the seas means ensuring a sustainable future. For this, it is essential to promote effective policies of environmental protection, stimulate scientific research and strengthening international cooperation. At the forefront on this front are organisations such as the International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean (CIESM) e Acli Terra, which are playing a key role in the monitoring of marine ecosystems and in the promotion of responsible practices. Through scientific studies, awareness-raising campaigns and the involvement of coastal communities, these organisations contribute to preserving marine biodiversity and to build a collective awareness of the value of the seas.
World Maritime Day is therefore a valuable opportunity to renew commitment to sustainable management of marine resources. It is time to recognise that our every action - from daily consumption to the use of technology, from political choices to individual behaviour - has an impact on the oceans. The sea is not a distant entity, but an essential element of our daily life. Protecting it means protecting ourselves, our well-being and that of future generations. Investing in Healthy Seas is today one of the greatest opportunities to address the environmental, climate and social challenges of our time. It is up to us to turn this awareness into action.
Images Nicola Tavoletta (@ courtesy) and Sea (@ Patricia Jekki on Unsplash)
