The world’s biggest employer and seventh-largest economy needs help: this is how to save our oceans

The ocean contributes $2.5 trillion to global GDP and supports over three billion livelihoods, yet it is becoming emptier, warmer, and more acidic. To address this, the authors call for a global 'call for action' to implement SDG 14, which includes protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, closing governance loopholes for high-seas biodiversity, and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The document emphasizes that ocean health is inextricably linked to the Paris climate agreement and requires a dedicated Special Representative for the Ocean and transparent financing plans.

• The ocean is experiencing degradation, characterized by becoming emptier, warmer, and more acidic, which places marine life under significant pressure.
• The economic and social value of the ocean is immense, with a GDP of $2.5 trillion (5% of global GDP), supporting more than three billion livelihoods and providing food for over 2.6 billion people.
• To implement SDG 14, the authors propose a global 'call for action' that commits to protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, ensuring the remaining 70% is sustainably managed, and closing governance loopholes regarding high-seas biodiversity.
• Ocean regeneration is dependent on addressing climate change, specifically through reaffirming the Paris climate agreement and pursuing net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• The authors recommend that UN Secretary-General António Guterres appoint a Special Representative for the Ocean to improve governance and that all commitments be supported by clear financing plans and accountability checks.

APA

Podesta, J. M. F. P. L. J. D. (2017). The world’s biggest employer and seventh-largest economy needs help: this is how to save our oceans. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/economic-growth/the-worlds-biggest-employer-and-seventh-largest-economy-needs-help-this-is-how-to-save-our-oceans/

Chicago

Podesta, Jose Maria Figueres, Pascal Lamy, John D. The world’s biggest employer and seventh-largest economy needs help: this is how to save our oceans. World Economic Forum, 2017. https://www.weforum.org/stories/economic-growth/the-worlds-biggest-employer-and-seventh-largest-economy-needs-help-this-is-how-to-save-our-oceans/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Podesta |first1=Jose Maria Figueres, Pascal Lamy, John D. |title=The world’s biggest employer and seventh-largest economy needs help: this is how to save our oceans |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=17 February 2017 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/economic-growth/the-worlds-biggest-employer-and-seventh-largest-economy-needs-help-this-is-how-to-save-our-oceans/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{podesta2017worlds, author = {Podesta, Jose Maria Figueres, Pascal Lamy, John D.}, title = {{The world’s biggest employer and seventh-largest economy needs help: this is how to save our oceans}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2017}, month = feb, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/economic-growth/the-worlds-biggest-employer-and-seventh-largest-economy-needs-help-this-is-how-to-save-our-oceans/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }