Harnessing the power of the ocean: A call to action for a sustainable future

The ocean is more than a vast expanse of water—it is the beating heart of our planet. It regulates global climate, supports biodiversity and holds the potential key to a sustainable future. Yet, despite its importance, we’ve only scratched the surface of understanding and utilizing its full potential. 

Many advancements have been realized in responsible ocean stewardship, emphasizing the importance of voicing current contributions and research from experts. 

During the 2024 Leaders Summit, we interviewed Vincent Doumeizel, author of The Seaweed Revolution and Senior Advisor on Oceans at the UN Global Compact. Vincent led and released both the Seaweed Manifesto and the Plankton Manifesto in calls to scale up the seaweed industry to address some of the world's most important challenges (hunger, global warming, pollution, poverty and more). Harvesting plankton could potentially be a key asset in transforming the planet’s environment as we know it, and Vincent let us know how.

Though often overlooked, plankton are the foundation of oceanic ecosystems. According to Doumeizel, they contribute 50% of the planet’s oxygen and play a crucial role in carbon sequestration—removing a third of the world’s carbon from the atmosphere. 

Yet, we rarely acknowledge their impact. As we burn fossil fuels, we consume one million years' worth of sedimented plankton annually—a staggering reminder of how deeply intertwined our energy systems are with the ocean’s natural cycles. Understanding and protecting plankton is key to sustaining life on Earth.

Human civilization has flourished thanks to the many advancements and evolution of agriculture on land, yet Doumeizel points out that we remain in the “Stone Age” when it comes to the ocean. 

The next great transformation lies in learning how to responsibly farm the ocean, restore its ecosystems and leverage its cycles of carbon, oxygen, water and nutrients. As noted in the interview clip, if today’s society and stakeholders can lay the groundwork, the next generation could be remembered as the first to feed the global population while simultaneously restoring biodiversity and combating climate change. However, achieving this goal requires collaboration across the public and private sectors. 

Beyond food security, the ocean holds unlimited potential for innovation—in medicine, nutrition and sustainable industries. Plankton, for instance, could revolutionize food systems and medical research. By investing in ocean research and unlocking nature-based solutions, we can generate solutions that benefit both the planet and businesses, ensuring a sustainable blue economy. 

It is important to consider all of the potential risks and difficulties that come with toeing the line of harvesting the ocean for world benefit, while also respecting the natural order of the biodiversity that occurs in the depths of waters across the globe. 

To transition from a land-based economy to a planet-based economy, there is a strong need for strategic investment. However, the return on ocean-related investments is often too long-term for the private sector alone. This is where blended finance plays a crucial role—public sector investments can de-risk opportunities, enabling the private sector to engage in ocean sustainability. 

It is clear that, like the symbiotic nature of the oceans, a similar symbiotic relationship across financing this type of work is also required. Governmental support for ocean education and scientific research to cultivate the next generation of ocean specialists is best informed when collaboration is at the forefront of all discussions.

The UN Global Compact serves as a unique bridge between the agility of the private sector and the influence of the United Nations. This powerful combination has opened doors to governments, CEOs and policymakers, creating momentum for ocean conservation and sustainable business practices. By leveraging this convening power, it is possible to accelerate real change for the ocean and, by extension, the planet. 

The Third UN Ocean Conference will take place 9 to 13 June in Nice, France. With an emphasis on supporting Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water), the conference aims to accelerate global action for ocean conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources. The UN Ocean Conference is expected to lead to a voluntary declaration called the Nice Ocean Action Plan producing identifiable action items that aim to provide various stakeholders with the most efficient and practical ways surrounding ocean-based interventions.

The ocean is not just a resource—it is a lifeline. Every sector has a role to play in safeguarding this precious resource. The time to act is now. Join the movement, support ocean research and advocate for policies that protect our blue planet. 

Together, we can harness the power of the ocean for a more sustainable and prosperous future. What steps is your organization taking to support ocean sustainability? Share your initiatives and join the conversation. 

Stay up to date with the latest information regarding the UN Ocean Conference here, and read more about how the United Nations Global Compact is pushing for change surrounding ocean-climate action via the Ocean Stewardship Coalition here.