By Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš
This was originally published in La Opinión in Spanish.
By Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš
Governments from around the world and civil society leaders are coming together at the Biodiversity COP15 to agree on a new set of goals to guide global climate and ocean action through 2030.
These global talks, held in Montreal, Canada, are a necessity to halt and reverse the worst effects of the climate crisis on humanity, our fragile and diverse ecosystems on land and in water, and those accelerating nature loss.
The ocean is one of our best solutions in the fight to curb the worst consequences of the climate crisis and climate inaction. Covering 70% of our planet, the ocean and its ecosystems — from kelp forests to saltmarshes to pods of whales — absorb roughly one third of global carbon dioxide emissions while regulating our climate and weather patterns and creating over half of the oxygen we breathe. A healthy, thriving ocean and marine biodiversity provides a myriad of resources to society including the food we eat, medicine we rely on and jobs that sustain our communities.
To achieve necessary climate goals, leaders in the U.S. and around the globe must recognize the important role our ocean plays in regulating the climate, the air we breathe and providing sustenance so many depend on, as well as recreational activities.
Latine and communities of color are at the heart of ocean conservation work. We are creating solutions that promote environmental and ocean justice, elevate locally driven community conservation efforts, honor tribal sovereignty and that prioritize the administrative vision of Indigenous peoples.
The time is now to listen to and act upon the support for ocean justice solutions that are right in front of us.
In the U.S., Latino voters overwhelmingly support policies to protect the ocean and act on plastic pollution. The poll, fielded by Barreto Segura Partners (BSP) Research, surveyed registered Latino voters across the United States to understand their views and perspectives on protecting the ocean and environment. It found that 96% of respondents cited environmental issues like pollution and global warming as personally important to them. An overwhelming 90% felt that plastic products are a threat to the health of the environment especially to the ocean. It also found that 86% of U.S. Latinos believe the government is responsible for preserving the ocean and public lands for the enjoyment of future generations.
As this year’s Biodiversity COP15 begins, our world leaders need to listen to these gente-powered and-led solutions to protect the plants, animals, and precious ecosystems that can continue to sustain us for generations to come.
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš is the founder and executive director of Azul, an environmental justice organization that has been working with Latinos to protect the coasts and ocean since 2011.
