On a mission to preserve our oceans
Rolex continues to support actions to protect the Earth
Earth has always served as the living laboratory of Rolex. Since the 1930s, its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, tested his Oyster Perpetual watches by transporting them to extreme locations, thus supporting the explorers who ventured into the unknown.
From exploration for pure discovery to exploration as a means to preserve the natural world, Rolex continues the legacy of its founder and reinforced its commitment by launching the Perpetual Planet initiative in 2019.
For now, it embraces the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, an enhanced partnership with National Geographic, a Rolex partner since 1954, to understand climate change through science, and Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue initiative to protect the oceans through a network of marine ‘Hope Spots.’
Yet even before the launch of Perpetual Planet, Rolex has been actively involved in supporting those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise were set up 45 years ago to mark the 50th anniversary of the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster. Through the program, the company supports exceptional individuals with innovative projects that expand our knowledge of the world, protect the environment — helping to preserve habitats and species — and improve human well-being.
Mission Blue is an ocean conservation organization established by legendary marine biologist, explorer, and Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle after she received a TED prize for her “vision to spark global change” in 2009. In 2014, Rolex became a partner of her organization as part of a commitment to help protect the oceans.
“Since I began exploring the oceans in the 1950s, I have been driven by a sense of urgency about what I can do as a scientist, as a human being to join with other human beings to say I can do this or that to make a difference… to go from consuming the natural world to say enough already. There is plenty reason for hope. It starts with people understanding that we have impacts on the ocean and knowing why it matters,” Ms. Earle said.
The concept of Mission Blue is to explore the globe and discover ‘Hope Spots’ or areas of the ocean afflicted by human pressures, which the organization seeks to study, revive, and protect.
Mission Blue’s aim is to create a global network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) called Hope Spots. These are ecologically important areas of the oceans considered essential for the preservation of species or the survival of communities dependent on the wellness of the marine environment for their livelihoods. Key to the program is the empowerment of local people to make change.
Mission Blue has, to date, established more than 130 Hope Spots across the globe, currently representing less than 8% of the oceans — spanning from the reduction of human impacts in the Gulf of California, Cabo Pulmo in Mexico, and the Aegean, Caribbean, and Caspian seas; to endangered wildlife protection in Galápagos, Andaman and Canary isles; and to the exploration of the deep ocean and its life off Antarctica, Palau, and several others in the remote oceans.
Just recently, the organization also announced a new Hope Spot in the Azores Archipelago of Portugal, a place where Mission Blue will be able to help hundreds of marine species such as whales and porpoises.
“No species has changed the oceans more than humans,” Ms. Earle remarked. “We change the nature of nature, take fish from the oceans on an industrial scale, and leave them awash with plastics. It is getting better, but it’s also getting more urgent because we’re now seeing potentially irreversible changes. That means the extinction of species. It means
that you have passed a point of no return.”
Mission Blue’s goal is to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030, which is the IUCN’s (International Union for Conservation of Nature) recommended target for safeguarding ocean health. To expand the protected scope of the oceans, individuals, local governments, or community organizations can nominate an area to be a Hope Spot.
“Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something to make a difference,” Ms. Earle said.
Rolex, for its part, has been working with Mission Blue in the organization’s ambitious and impactful venture to revive the vitality of the oceans — to ensure that marine ecosystems in all their teeming diversity are not lost to future generations.
“I have been involved with Rolex since 1970 and during that time our interests have become increasingly aligned,” said Ms. Earle. “Like Rolex, I feel that the time has come to make a stand for a Perpetual Planet so that the marvels of the ocean in all its teeming diversity are not lost to future generations.”
Mission Blue is merely among the variety of partnerships and grants of Rolex in its endeavor to protect the Earth’s waters. Also aboard in its ocean conservation commitment are Rolex Laureates Barbara Block, Emma Camp, Vreni Häussermann, and Brad Norman, as well as global networks of marine scientists such as Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society®. Rolex also has a partnership with the Monaco Blue Initiative and supported the Deepsea Under The Pole by Rolex and the Under The Pole III expeditions.
Please visit rolex.org to learn more about Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative.