Groundbreaking event in France calls for rethinking humanity’s relationship with the Ocean

Reshaping the relationship between humans and oceans. PHOTO/UN.

By PATRICK MAYOYO

newshub@eyewitness.africa

A groundbreaking event in Nice, France, brought together global leaders, innovators, and environmental advocates to discuss and reimagine humanity’s relationship with the Ocean.

The event, titled “The Future is Now: Let’s Dive into an Ocean of Possibilities”, aimed to foster hope and promote transformative solutions to address the Ocean’s pressing challenges. This initiative was a key part of the on-going Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in the French coastal city of Nice.

Organised by the Ocean and Climate Platform and The Varda Group, the event sought to spark fresh ideas on protecting the world’s oceans and achieving long-term environmental sustainability.

Notably, the event was aligned with the mission of UNOC3, which was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. As outlined in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB), the gathering was a vital consultation with civil society in the lead-up to the main conference.

The event’s agenda was built around two major initiatives: The Ocean Protection Principle and the concept of an “ocean of possibilities.” Both of these initiatives seek to reshape the global conversation on the Ocean by focusing on innovative, people-driven solutions that prioritise environmental equity, justice, and sustainability.

One of the key takeaways from the event was the need for a paradigm shift in how humanity values and interacts with the Ocean. A recurring theme was the importance of embracing creativity and unconventional thinking when devising solutions to the Ocean’s most urgent problems.

A panel discussion on the Ocean Protection Principle. PHOTO/IISD.

Loreley Picourt, Executive Director of the Ocean & Climate Platform, stressed the importance of civil society’s role in driving this shift, noting that the relationship between humans and the Ocean must be strengthened through shared values of equity, justice, and sustainability.

“We must mobilise communities and individuals, focusing on solutions that are local and accessible. These grassroots movements often bring about the most transformative change,” Picourt said. “We must think creatively and not be constrained by outdated frameworks that limit possibilities.”

Rémi Parmentier, Co-Founder of The Varda Group, echoed this sentiment. He highlighted the need for new, bold ideas that challenge traditional power structures and offer inclusive solutions.

Parmentier spoke passionately about the Ocean Protection Principle, which advocates for the recognition of the Ocean as a global common, protected by laws that safeguard its health for future generations.

Parmentier also suggested the establishment of “ministries of the Ocean” to directly address the concerns of the ocean community, bypassing larger bureaucratic structures that often stifle innovation.

“We need to think outside the box and push boundaries, while avoiding large institutions that restrict creativity,” he urged.

Participants listen to the discussions. PHOTO/IISD

The event also served as a platform for civil society to advocate for more radical changes. One of the central discussions revolved around the ‘Our Blue Future: A Call for Action from the Ocean Community’ initiative, which aims to rally support for transformative actions that ensure the Ocean’s future is one that is just, healthy, and resilient.

Anne Park, CEO of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, closed the event with a powerful message: “The future is not something we wait for, it is something we create together, starting now.”

She went on to highlight that the Ocean is not merely a resource to be exploited, but a fundamental part of humanity’s existence—deserving of respect, reciprocity, and protection.

“Think of the Ocean not as a resource, but as a relative, a teacher, and a home,” Park added. “We must reimagine our relationship with it, focusing on reciprocity and responsibility.”

Throughout the event, participants were encouraged to take an active role in shaping the future of the Ocean. During an interactive dialogue on driving transformative change, Parmentier urged attendees to “rock the boat” — a metaphor for challenging the status quo.

However, he also reminded them that their efforts should be focused on ensuring the “boat” moves in the right direction, towards a sustainable future.

Participants attend the event ‘The Future is Now: Let’s Dive into an Ocean of Possibilities.’ PHOTO/IISD

The discussions and initiatives presented during the event are part of a growing movement to protect the world’s oceans from the escalating threats of climate change, pollution, and over-exploitation.

The UN Ocean Conference, held in the wake of this gathering, is expected to serve as a significant milestone in advancing global ocean protection efforts.

While the challenges are enormous, the collective resolve of the participants, from civil society leaders to corporate innovators, demonstrated that real change is possible.

The Ocean, they agreed, is not just an external entity to be managed, but an integral part of life on Earth, one that requires humanity’s collective care and respect.

In the words of Anne Park, the future of the Ocean is in our hands. It is up to each of us to take action now, ensuring a thriving, sustainable Ocean for future generations.