Page 72 - Livre_MOW2021_EN

70 | TRANSITION AND SOLUTIONS

SCIENCE AT THE CORE
A new ocean narrative

The Monaco Ocean Science Federation defends the importance
of science in building a positive view of the ocean: between modelling

and reconnecting, a new narrative is emerging.

The members of the Monaco Ocean Science Fede- A NEW NARRATIVE
ration met for the third time on 23 March 2021 via
video call during Monaco Ocean Week. Alongside The ocean has increased its appeal thanks to a highly
HSH Prince Albert II, 26 participants examined ways effective narrative orchestrated by major agencies,
to increase interest in the ocean amongst the public promoting major challenges and successes, pushing
and policy-makers. By raising awareness of the im- forward human expertise without environmental
portance of the ocean in terms of the services it offers blame. Members of the Monaco Ocean Science Fe-
humans, and its potential contribution to the environ- deration agreed on the need to develop ocean-re-
mental transition, the common goal is to encourage lated communication. It is no longer about understan-
greater awareness of marine ecosystems, greater up- ding marine ecosystems to protect them, but also to
take of measures to protect them, and on the part of restore them and re-establish their full potential (de-
policy-makers, greater attention and increased fun- signing marine protected areas, integrated multi-tro-
ding for marine sciences. phic aquaculture, new pharmaceutical uses, etc.).

FORGOTTEN BENEFITS SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

At the dawn of the Decade of Ocean Science for During the meeting, it emerged that science must
Sustainable Development, there is a general consen- address citizens’ expectations and offer solutions:
sus that interest in the oceans is poor. Compared to addressing fundamental needs, offering an escape,
space exploration, ocean exploration garners little en- giving the option to make choices and take action.
thusiasm, whilst this global ecosystem contributes to Different members are working on the link between
food, health, employment and life for a large portion science and society to develop joint research and to
of the population, not to mention its role in climate ensure that knowledge contributes to democracy.
regulation. In recent years, problems have been pro- The scientific process must become accessible to
moted (overfishing and low stocks, pollution and dead more people, notably young people, both in deve-
zones, extensive plastic pollution, warming, etc.), hi- loped countries and in developing countries.
ding the ocean’s formidable potential. It was impor-
tant to raise awareness of environmental issues, but
citizens now need hope, or they will lose interest and
move away from science towards alternative realities.