Calls for councils across Cornwall to sign pledge to promote ocean recovery
The 'motion for the ocean' project wants councils to adapt and adopt
Councils across Cornwall are being urged to sign a 'motion for the ocean' pledge to help citizens engage with and promote ocean recovery.
The project has created a model motion for councils to adapt and adopt to improve the ocean and it aims to highlight the direct connection everyone has to the sea.
The project has already seen some support in the Duchy, with Falmouth Town Council passing an ocean recovery motion.
Other Councils involved are Plymouth City Council and South Tyneside Council.
Dr Pamela Buchan, a University of Exeter researcher and Plymouth City Councillor, who proposed the motion said: "The need for ocean recovery to mitigate some of the worst impacts of the climate emergency and support the wellbeing and prosperity of coastal communities is urgent".
She hopes people across the country will feel "empowered to act as marine citizens" and ask their local councillors to support an ocean recovery declaration.
Dr Buchan continued: "For too long, the ocean has been side-lined in climate debates and taken for granted by our island nation, but people and politicians are beginning to understand that we can’t mitigate the impacts of climate change without addressing how we use and manage our coastal and ocean environments.
"My research as a marine social scientist shows that connecting emotionally with the sea and feeling dependent upon it for your wellbeing are really important factors in motivating people to take marine environmental action.
"This motion recognises that we need to connect people to the ocean in sustainable ways".
The new pledge aims to embrace the "source-to-sea" approach by reflecting on the important impact of land-based carbon emissions on ocean health, with a goal to create a movement similar to that seen with climate emergency declarations.
Others who wrote the motion include Emily Cunningham, Lead Officer of the Local Government Association (LGA) Coastal Special Interest Group; and Nicola Bridge, Head of Ocean Advocacy and Engagement at the Ocean Conservation Trust.
Emily Cunningham said: "Coastal local authorities are working hard to bring about a brighter future for the communities we serve, yet too often we overlook the opportunities and benefits that a healthy ocean could provide.
"The LGA Coastal Special Interest Group recognises that our ocean is in a state of emergency and that local government has a crucial role to play in recovering it to health.
"Local authorities cannot solve the ocean crisis alone, but they can and must play their part.
"We are ready to support all councils in stepping up to take ocean action now. There’s no time to waste."
Nicola Bridge added: "All of our work at the Ocean Conservation Trust is centred around people. Our Think Ocean Challenge is designed specifically to bring the ocean to the forefront of people’s minds and help them to think about the ocean in their everyday lives.
"For too long, the ocean has been missing from discussions at local and national government levels, meaning that decisions are made that do not reflect the importance of a healthy ocean.
"At policy level, ocean health is not recognised as essential for human health.
"We are pleased to have been part of the creation of this model ‘ocean recovery motion’ and hope to see councils across the UK adopting it and taking steps towards better recognition of the importance of ocean health."