By: Serena Nguyen (she/her) Founder, CEO & Principal Consultant Evolve Oceans
Earlier this year, I attended several ocean conferences, including the UN Ocean Decade, World Ocean Summit & Expo, H2O, and Oceanfest. While inspiring and insightful for those who could attend, something felt off.
Looking back, I realized that in those events, and the many smaller group discussions with leaders committed to tackling urgent ocean issues, there were very few people who looked like me…few or no other people of colour and limited gender or cultural diversity on stage or in the rooms. We discussed the importance of our ocean and its biodiversity, yet diverse voices, perspectives and experiences were missing from the conversation.
The parallels between human diversity and ocean biodiversity are not just interesting, but crucial. Our ocean, which covers 80% of the planet, is home to countless life forms, many of which are yet to be discovered. The diversity of these life forms is vital for climate regulation, food security, and oxygen production. However, as we face threats like climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction, it’s clear that we need to do more. We need to fully integrate the diversity of human perspectives, knowledge, and cultural practices to develop effective solutions to protect our ocean.
For example, generations of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities have developed a deep, long-standing connection to the ocean. Their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices have preserved marine ecosystems for millennia. The Maori in New Zealand and Indigenous Peoples in the Pacific Northwest have managed their coastal resources sustainably, maintaining healthy fish populations and habitats. A 2021 UN report noted that Indigenous Peoples manage or hold tenure over 25% of the world’s land surface, supporting 80% of global biodiversity. Despite their invaluable contributions, these communities are often marginalized in ocean conservation, science, and policy.
To make meaningful progress in our efforts to grow, innovate, and protect ocean health and the blue economy, we must break out of our echo chambers and include more diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives. This won’t happen so long as I, and others like me, have to push to get into these rooms.
The intersection of human diversity and ocean biodiversity is not just about inclusion but survival. As we face unprecedented environmental challenges, leveraging the full spectrum of human knowledge and experience is crucial for developing sustainable solutions. By valuing and incorporating contributions from all communities and sectors, we can create the solutions needed for more resilient and thriving ecosystems in the ocean and on land.
So, the next time you ask yourself how you can contribute to the ocean, know that your diverse perspective, experiences, and skills can help create the next critical solution needed to protect our ocean and all life on land.
It’s time to bring more diversity into the blue economy. Are you interested in joining me?