Oceans: Preserving and Powering our Blue Economy

Oceans cover 71% of the planet’s surface and are a life support system making up 97% of the world’s water and 95% of all space made available for life. Oceans are a key climate regulator, sequestering a third of all carbon emitted by human activity a year, controlling the weather and mediating temperature. With this alone, their importance to our existence is paramount. 

But oceans also support an entire economy, a ‘blue economy’. Alas, rising sea levels and temperatures due to climate change, overfishing, man made pollution and other mismanagement is affecting the blue economy and those that rely on it. 

Furthermore, oceans can provide us with a revolution in power generation. They offer a natural and low carbon alternative to fossil fuels and are the world’s largest untapped source of renewable energy. In this episode of the Next Five we explore the oceans as a blue economy, a climate regulator, and a power generator all while reflecting on the importance of ocean preservation. Céline Cousteau, a documentary filmmaker, public speaker, author and socio-environmental advocate highlights the importance of the oceans to all life on earth and how we need more marine protected areas and laws to preserve our seas as well as sharing examples of successful marine preservation projects.Karine Measson, Head of Water Management at the European Investment Bank, who is responsible for ocean activities at the EIB talks about the importance of a sustainable blue economy,and how to overcome the challenges including access to fundable projects and international cooperation. Miguel Stilwell d'Andrade, CEO, EDP and EDP Renewables discusses the growth in demand for ocean based renewable energy and that both the capital and technology is there to help meet climate goals if short term challenges can be overcome. Our Sources for the show: FT Resources, United Nations, WWF, World Meteorological Organisation, OECD, European Commission. This content is paid for by advertisers and is produced in partnership with the Financial Times’ Commercial Department

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