Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, which threatens irreversible consequences.

Climate change is disrupting economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries today and even more tomorrow.

Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, weather events are becoming more extreme and greenhouse gas emissions are now at their highest levels in history.

The poorest and most vulnerable people are being affected the most.

The ocean is critical to the global fight against climate change and to all life on Earth.

It plays a central role in absorbing greenhouse gas emissions and provides myriad other services that underpin the economic, political, and cultural systems of the World.

The coast is home to nearly half of all people on Earth. Today, 40% of the World’s population lives within 100 km of a coastline. This number is expected to increase to 50% – 4.25 billion people – by 2030.

The ocean is a major driver of the global economy. The World’s ocean and coasts provide products and services worth an estimated US $2.5 trillion per year.

The ocean is a primary source of food for the World’s population. 17% of all animal protein consumed worldwide comes from seafood, a primary source of protein for over 3 billion people.

The ocean is the most effective buffer against climate change. The ocean is the Earth’s largest heat and carbon sink.

It has absorbed 93% of the heat generated by industrial-era carbon dioxide emissions, and it captures nearly 30% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere every year.

Help secure global health and prosperity, challenging governments and all sectors of Society to commit to accomplish the goals in an ‘Ocean-Climate Action’ agenda.

Protect and restore coastal wetlands and establish and effectively manage marine protected areas. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ocean industries and invest in nature-based climate resilience for coastal and island populations.

Sustainably manage ocean fishing and aquaculture to ensure food security in the face of climate change and ocean acidification, ending overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Include ocean-related climate measures in national goals and ensure finance and support for communities on the frontlines of climate change to best implement ocean-related measures.

Coastal and island regions are home to many blue carbon ecosystems and are on the frontlines of climate impacts.