World talks on oceans start

– World leaders convene at UN headquarters this week for the first major bid to solve the toughest problems facing our oceans – from coral bleaching to plastic pollution, overfishing and rising seas due to climate change.

The Ocean Conference in New York from tomorrow until Friday, attempts to rally nations to make meaningful changes to preserve what is arguably the Earth’s most important resource, experts say.

US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord is expected to be a hot topic at the talks, which no high-ranking US officials are expected to attend.

But despite Trump’s decision, experts at the Pew Charitable Trust said the US has been a part of crafting a broad “call to action”, and is expected to sign it.

“We are committed to halting and reversing the decline in the health and productivity of our ocean,” says the three-page document, which also expresses alarm at the impact of climate change.

The call to action is expected to be signed and released during the talks, which will bring government officials, ocean advocates and heads of state to New York.

The US pullout from Paris means other nations will lead the way at the UN talks, particularly small island nations that have the most to lose. – AFP