Humans Can't Survive Without a Healthy Ocean: UN Envoy

A diamond stingray and a one-eyed porcupine fish search the sand for food, while a school of bigeye jacks swirls behind them. — Photo: Nicolas Hahn

The Ocean—covering over 70% of our planet—is in deep and accelerating crisis. Scientific assessments point to a perfect storm of environmental threats: rising temperatures, ocean acidification, plummeting fish stocks, plastic and chemical pollution, and unchecked habitat destruction. These factors are converging to trigger a catastrophic decline in marine biodiversity. Alarmingly, over half of all marine species are projected to be at risk of extinction before the end of this century.

The urgent need to protect and restore the Ocean will take center stage at the United Nations Ocean Conference, taking place in Nice, France, in June 2025. This conference, the first of its kind since the historic adoption of the High Seas Treaty, aims to galvanize global action and accelerate implementation of science-backed solutions to protect marine life and promote sustainable use of ocean resources.

Ahead of the conference, UN News spoke with three leading figures in the global movement for ocean conservation:

Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean,

Alfredo Giron, Head of the Ocean Action Agenda at the World Economic Forum (WEF), and

Minna Epps, Director of the Ocean Programme at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Invisible Crisis Beneath the Surface

Minna Epps painted a stark picture of the deteriorating state of marine ecosystems:

“We’re in really dire straits. If we don’t act now to protect and restore the Ocean, the consequences will be devastating—not just for marine life, but for all the essential services the Ocean provides to humanity.”

She stressed the Ocean’s role in climate regulation.

“It’s a huge carbon sink, absorbing around 25% of carbon dioxide emissions and 90% of excess heat. But this absorption comes at a cost—it leads to acidification, weakening marine organisms and ecosystems.”

Epps likened the hidden destruction under the sea to deforestation:

“From an airplane, you can see forests being cut down. But in the Ocean, much of the damage—like habitat loss, coral bleaching, and species collapse—goes unseen by the public.”

For instance, she recounted a shocking event:

“A marine heatwave in Panama led to the loss of around 75% of coral diversity in that region. This is not just an environmental tragedy—it’s a collapse of an entire ecosystem.”

Coral reefs, though occupying less than 1% of the Ocean floor, are critical habitats that support nearly 25% of all marine species, while also serving as natural buffers against coastal storms and erosion.

A Climate Emergency Below Sea Level

Peter Thomson underscored the human-driven causes of this crisis:

“Fossil fuel emissions are heating the planet and the Ocean at an alarming rate. As water temperatures rise, we’re seeing dying coral reefs, shifting marine species, rising sea levels, and unpredictable ocean currents. These aren’t distant threats—they are unfolding now.”

He issued a direct warning about the consequences of inaction:

“You can’t have a healthy planet without a healthy Ocean. And you can’t have a healthy Ocean if its coral reefs are dying. My message is simple: we must leave fossil fuels in the ground and shift as quickly as possible to an equitably electrified world powered by renewable energy.”

The 30x30 Biodiversity Goal: A Global Mission

A major focus of the upcoming conference is the 30x30 initiative, a global target to conserve 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030.

Alfredo Giron explained the importance of this goal:

“30x30 isn’t just symbolic. It’s backed by science. Protecting and restoring 30% of the Ocean will help stabilize ecosystems, support marine life, and increase ocean resilience to climate impacts.”

While progress has been made—roughly 10% of the Ocean is currently protected—Giron emphasized the uphill battle ahead:

“We need to ask: how do we reach that remaining 20%? Do we have the right legal tools, financial investments, and political will to get there in time?”

Peter Thomson reinforced the urgency:

“If we fail to reach that 30% threshold, scientists warn we could see a mass extinction cascade—potentially including Homo sapiens. So yes, 30x30 is absolutely essential.”

The High Seas Treaty: Turning Words into Action

Adopted in 2023, the High Seas Treaty—officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement—provides the first legally binding international framework to govern biodiversity protection in waters beyond national boundaries.

Peter Thomson shared an update:

“We’re pushing to reach the 60 country ratifications required for the treaty to enter into force by the time of the conference in Nice.”

He also spotlighted a long-overdue reform: eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies.

“We are on the verge of an agreement at the World Trade Organization to end up to $30 billion annually in subsidies that fund industrial fleets chasing dwindling fish stocks. That money should be invested in sustainable fisheries and helping coastal communities adapt to climate threats.”

Regeneration, Not Just Sustainability

When asked about the private sector’s role, Alfredo Giron emphasized a shift in thinking:

“Sustainability is no longer enough—we need regeneration. Offshore wind farms, for example, can be designed using materials that promote coral growth. Ports can incorporate mangroves to stabilize coastlines while enhancing ecological function.”

He encouraged deeper collaboration between business and conservation efforts:

“We need to stop viewing the private sector as an obstacle. If we bring them in as partners, they’ll see that a healthy Ocean is good for business, too.”

Minna Epps added:

“Let’s stop treating the private sector as a monolith. Large corporations need accountability frameworks, but small and medium enterprises often just need investment and support to innovate in sustainable ways.”

Charting a New Course for Ocean Protection

As the world looks toward the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, all three experts expressed hope—but also a clear-eyed urgency.

Minna Epps concluded:

“This conference must be a turning point, not a talking point. We need real momentum around knowledge-sharing, financing, and implementation. Otherwise, we risk leaving behind a legacy of missed opportunities.”

From climate regulation to biodiversity, coastal protection to food security, the fate of the Ocean is tied directly to the fate of humanity. As Peter Thomson warned:

“No healthy Ocean means no healthy planet—and no healthy future for us.”