Walden Forum Hosts Dr. Greg Stone – Executive VP and Chief Scientist for Oceans
with Conservation International
Walden Forum – Thursday, September 13, 2012 – 7:30pm
Location – First Parish Meeting House
50 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778
“We Need the Oceans for Our Survival –
How Do We Conserve Them Now and for Future Generations?”
The world’s oceans are truly a remarkable resource that we all depend upon for our well being, however, they are in a state of serious decline. As the world’s population has steadily climbed over the last 50 years, reaching 7 billion in 2011, this has put a heavy burden on the earth’s “natural capital,” not least the oceans. Only 4% are now considered pristine, and over 40% are heavily impacted by humans.
The oceans provide many benefits to us all including the provision of food (for 1 in 4 people, fish are a main source of protein); the production of oxygen and freshwater; and as a source of livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. However, there has been a significant decline; over 87% of monitored marine stocks are now fully exploited, over exploited, or even depleted; the oceans are becoming warmer and more acidic, marine habitats such as mangroves and coral reefs have been devastated; and liquid and solid pollutants are entering the marine environment at rates never previously seen.
However, all is not lost, we do still have a chance, and the timing has to be now.
