Cork Leads the Way on EU Oceans Charter

25th November 2022

President Michael D. Higgins was among the 160 guests at an event held in Cork Harbour on Friday to launch the European Union’s Mission to protect and restore ocean and inland waters in the Atlantic and Arctic regions by 2030. The National Maritime College of Ireland was the venue for the gathering which brought together Ministers and high-level representatives from Atlantic and Arctic countries, the Lord Mayors of Cork city and county and actors and stakeholders from government, academia, business and civil society

Cork has become the first city to sign up to the European Commission’s Charter to restore oceans and waters.

Under the ‘Horizon Europe Programme,’ the Commission has launched several ‘Missions’ which it says are focused on “critical areas, to bring solutions to “the greatest challenges of our time, because man-made changes are putting our oceans and waters at serious risk.”

For two days at the National Maritime College in Ringaskiddy, a high-powered European conference discussed healthy seas and oceans, how they can be protected and, where needed, restored to health.

The Charter was signed, on behalf of Cork City, by Lord Mayor Deirdre Forde. A coalition of environmental non-governmental organisations and networks also signed up.

European areas are being designated digitally as ‘lighthouse sectors’ – to light the way forward symbolically. Ireland is a central player in the Atlantic ‘lighthouse.’ The Commission hopes to connect citizens and local communities with the oceans, seas and waters, provide broad ownership and education and co-design transitions in their communities that will allow European Green Deal targets to be reached by 2030.

Is that realistic?

The European Commission predicts, in this strategy, that “economic prosperity” is amongst the opportunities that can be achieved: “The ocean is estimated to generate €2.5 trillion per year by 2030,” it says. “Ocean waters are home to a rich diversity of species. They are major carbon sinks, essential for adaptation to climate change.”

Dr.John Bell, the European Commission’s ‘Healthy Planet Director'

While it was well-attended by specialist delegates from many European countries and by President Michael D.Higgins, will the message from it get through to ”ordinary citizens?” That is the question I put at the conference, to my Podcast guest this week – Dr. John Bell, the European Commission’s ‘Healthy Planet Director,’ who is leading its research on Oceans and the European Green Deal.

Afloat.ie · Dr. John Bell, the European Commission’s ‘Healthy Planet Director

Published in Cork Harbour, Marine Science

Published in Cork Harbour

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Cork

About The Author

Tom MacSweeney

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Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and now has a monthly Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services

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