IN MESSAGE ON OCCASION OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR PROTECTION OF OCEANS
Press Release
SG/SM/6561
UNEP/27
IN MESSAGE ON OCCASION OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR PROTECTION OF OCEANS
19980513 ADVANCE RELEASEThe theme for this year's World Environment Day, "For Life on Earth: Save Our Seas", is an appeal to each and every one of us to protect and focus our attention on one of our planet's most valuable resources: the oceans.
Oceans comprise more than 70 per cent of the Earth's surface. Nearly two thirds of humanity -- some 3.5 billion people -- inhabit coastal areas and depend on coastal and marine environments for their livelihood. Twenty years from now, this population is expected to have reached 7 billion.
For far too long, we have regarded the oceans' resources as inexhaustible. We have viewed the oceans as a bottomless receptacle for unlimited waste.
With changing land patterns due to the pressures of an ever-increasing population, with the development of industries, with the massive use of agro-chemicals, the oceans have reached the limits of their capacity to assimilate the waste generated by human activities.
Our self-centred approach has damaged human health, ecosystems and economic productivity. Any approach to meaningful and effective protection of the marine environment must factor in the full complexity of modern life -- from politics to technology, from science to the law.
On this day, whether we live near the ocean or not, let us demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment. Let us prevent any further damage to our one and only Earth. Let us make this mission a priority in our daily lives. Let us recognize that our lives depend upon it.
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