This month IUCN experts will converge on the International Marine Conservation Congress in Washington DC to help ensure that sound science is central to efforts to protect our oceans.
Climate change will be a key theme of the meeting. While the world needs to agree on drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, there is plenty that can be done in the marine realm to adapt to climate change impacts and increase the ability of our oceans to absorb carbon. Central to this is maintaining the healthy functioning of marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, making them resilient to rising temperatures and increasing ocean acidification.
The spotlight will also be on the development and effective management of marine protected areas. A further topic will be how to identify and protect biologically-significant and vulnerable areas of the high seas—areas that lie beyond national jurisdiction.
The Congress is an opportunity to take stock of the challenges facing ocean conservation, share the latest knowledge and solutions and showcase new initiatives.
