We’re Facing a Triple Planetary Crisis
Luis Estévez-Salmerón / Ocean Conservancy

BUSAN (April 28, 2025) — I’m currently writing you from Busan, Korea, where our Ocean Conservancy team is hard at work at the Our Ocean Conference. We’re here advancing our efforts to protect the Central Arctic Ocean, champion the deployment of offshore wind renewable energy, advocate for an ambitious and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty and so much more.

We’ve got a lot of work to do because our ocean is dealing with a triple planetary crisis. A changing climate, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution represent an unprecedented threat to the ocean and life on Earth as we know it. The interlinked impacts of these crises we’ve created require a global, coordinated effort to ensure a livable future, forever and for everyone.

That’s why I’m taking time out of my day here to ask you to take action now to tackle the main threats facing our ocean.

Demand A Livable Planet
The ocean absorbs about 90% of the excess heat generated by climate change. If we do not act now to limit the warming of our planet, we could see dangerous impacts like a rise in sea levels that could expose up to an additional 10 million people to more frequent flooding and a loss of an astounding 99% of coral reefs. Demand a livable planet to protect your communities and our ocean.

Protect Our Planet’s Biodiversity
Marine biodiversity is rapidly declining due to rising water temperatures, overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution. The Central Arctic Ocean is an example of one of Earth’s incredible biodiverse places facing new threats.

Until sea ice began its unprecedented retreat, this area was completely covered in ice year-round. Industries like commercial fishing, deep-sea mining and shipping are looking to take advantage of this new landscape. We must prioritize protection over exploitation. Demand international protection of the Central Arctic Ocean and protect this global treasure.

End the Plastic Pollution Crisis
Eleven million metric tons of plastic pollution enter our ocean annually, more than a garbage truck’s worth every minute. These plastics—both big and small—have now made their way to every corner of the ocean, from the surface to the deepest trenches, from the Arctic to the Antarctic and into the smallest to the largest species of marine wildlife.

To protect the environment that we depend on for life, we need a strong and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty. Join us by demanding strong global action on the plastic-pollution crisis.

Thank you for taking action. Together, we will work relentlessly and with a deep conviction to reverse course and ensure a healthy future for our ocean