Renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle emphasises that “we need to learn about the ocean and to take care of it”. June 8 was United Nations World Oceans Day. “The cost advantage of exploring the ocean is a fraction of that for exploring space,” explained philanthropist and OceanX founder Ray Dalio — or 1 per cent of the cost.

Ignorance of the ocean is a serious shortcoming. Importantly, we have the evidence now that the ocean is our life support system, noted Dr Earle. We realise that whales are more valuable alive than when harvested for blubber. They are an integral part of the ecosystem, and actually absorb and hold carbon. The loss of ocean wildlife has been dramatic. If you like to breathe, you’re connected to the ocean. The ocean represents 97 per cent of our life support system, and mankind is destroying it.

According to UN climate data, the ocean generates 50 per cent of the oxygen and absorbs 25 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions, as well as capturing 90 per cent of the excess heat in the atmosphere. “It is a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change.” Yet in 2021, there was more than 17 million metric tonnes entering the ocean, which makes up 85 per cent of marine litter and is expected to double or triple annually.

June 2023 marks the first legally binding international treaty to protect the high seas — two thirds of the world’s ocean, which are beyond national boundaries. The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty, referred to as the “high seas treaty”, establishes marine-protected areas to safeguard 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030. Whereas only 1 per cent of the high seas had been protected hitherto. According to Monica Medina, of the US Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, “the high seas are among the last truly wild places on Earth”.

OceanX is on a mission to support scientists exploring the ocean and bringing its secrets to the surface. It was founded in 2018 and purchased two Triton submarines that are certified and used by explorer/film-maker James Cameron. Unlike the recent implosion of the carbon-fibre OceanGate, the Triton submarines Nadar and Neptune are of the traditional steel design, rated for use to 1,000 metres or 3,280 feet.

There is untapped potential down under. At depths of 1,000 feet, the only light is bioluminescence. There is a meeting of the International Seabed Alliance next month. Further understanding of the seabed is required to assess the impact of deep-sea mining. As unpalatable as it is, it will happen. There is a battle between natural resources. There should be a mining of knowledge so there is a better job of mining than there has been on land. Conflicts of interest can arise between naturalists and business; mediating these will require hard data.

The actual value of nature for business as well as for mankind and the planet will be quantified. This value can be reflected on the balance sheet for countries as well as for corporations. The stark warning is “what is done for/to the ocean over the next seven years will critically impact the next 10,000 years”. The planet is at a tipping point and we cannot afford to get it wrong.

Dr Earle says: “We live on Planet Ocean and we need to place it first.”

Hans-Otto Pörtner, a marine biologist and member of the Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change, explained that the ocean absorbs 90 per cent of global warming and 30 per cent of carbon emissions. Corals are most vulnerable to the changes in the ecosystem. This was identified five decades ago in the 1970s, and little has changed, with the planet losing half of its coral reefs.

ReefOS is designed to be an artificial intelligence platform for coral reefs. It is planting coral plugs in French Polynesia. Restoration needs to be voluminous and at scale. There are marine heatwaves. The increasing temperatures in the tropics will force animal life to retreat. If global temperatures breech the 1.5 per cent increase limit, sea levels would rise by one metre. Higher seas mean greater weather catastrophes.

Aquanaut Fabien Cousteau, grandson of the famous ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, explained how “ocean research and innovation are critical to our symbiotic relationship” with the ocean. He added: “A networked ocean can be the brainstem of the planet ... a human-ocean interface.”

Cousteau is planning a community of ocean-flooring analysis stations or ocean learning centres at 20 metres under the sea in Curaçao’s marine-protected area. His Proteus project will allow aquanauts to work and reside in underwater habitats starting in 2025.

The UN event was in partnership with Oceanic Global, the UN Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs. It culminated with winners of the annual photo competition of the sea. The themes from the UN World Oceans Day were further explored in the 2023 Bermuda Climate Summit, which ended yesterday, the Hub Culture Frontlines Summit, which starts today.

• Patrice Horner is a Certified Financial Planner who and holds a master’s degree in finance. Those who wish to register for the Hub Culture Frontliners Summit can visit here