OCEAN SUSTAINABILITY

The Ocean covers ¾ of Earth, holding 97% of its water, and acting as the planet’s largest ecosystem: it absorbs 23% of human CO₂ emissions and 90% of excess heat, and yet, pollution, overfishing, and rising temperatures threaten its health. Marine pollution, especially plastic waste, is at crisis levels, and ocean acidification endangers biodiversity and food security.

Urgent action is needed. Governments must enforce stronger conservation measures, invest in ocean science, and protect marine habitats through international agreements. On an individual level, reducing plastic use and choosing sustainable seafood can make a difference. Protecting our ocean means safeguarding our future.

STATE OF THE OCEAN

The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the global climate, yet it faces unprecedented threats from climate change. Rising sea surface temperatures, marine heatwaves, and biodiversity loss are pushing ecosystems and coastal communities to the brink.

In 2023, 22% of the global ocean surface experienced severe to extreme marine heatwaves, with European waters reaching record temperatures. A high proportion of marine habitats in the European Union are in an unfavourable status (76%) and 38% are further deteriorating, with pollution being a significant factor.

The European Union has responded and committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, cutting maritime emissions, transitioning fisheries away from fossil fuels, and expanding offshore renewables. The EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters aims to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments by 2030.

Facts

More facts available on the EU Maritime Forum.

1. Marine Heatwaves​

• In 2023, 22% of the global ocean surface experienced at least one severe to extreme marine heatwave event. Notably, the rate of ocean warming has doubled since 2005.
• The warming of the world ocean has accelerated at a relatively consistent pace since 1960. Since 2005 the rate of ocean warming has doubled.
• The Arctic region lost 4% of sea ice per decade during the period 1979-2023.
Source: Defense Industry and Space, European Commission, 2024

2. Sea Surface Temperatures

The European region recorded its warmest annual sea surface temperature in 2023, at 0.55°C above average.
Source : Copernicus, European Commission, 2023.

3. Marine Habitats​

A high proportion of marine habitats in the European Union are in an unfavourable status (76 %) and 38 % are further deteriorating, with pollution being a significant factor (this data is based on research conducted on 30% of habitats; 70% is of unknown status).
Source: European Environment Agency, 2023.

4. Pollution

• Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution and around eight to ten million metric tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Research states that, by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea.

• 17% of the species affected by the presence of plastic in the ocean are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
(Ocean Literacy Portal)

5. Ocean acidification

Carbon dioxide and heat are both absorbed by the ocean as greenhouse gas levels increase. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in the ocean, the water becomes more acidic. Ocean acidification has increased rapidly causing pH levels to drop by approximately 30% since the pre-industrial era.

Ocean acidification impacts on marine organisms with its effects cascading throughout the food web, modifying ecosystem services like fisheries.
Source: (European Environment Agency, 2024)

UNOC 2025

All boats lead to Nice!

10-13 jUNE

2025

From 9-13 June 2025, REVOLVE will be participating in the high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.  

We’ll be showcasing our initiatives that contribute to raising awareness of the ocean and improving its governance.  

Take action to MakeEUBlue!

Check out our activities below and come find us in Nice, France!  

Past event - PRESS BRIEFING

Can the EU meet these 2030 and 2025 targets?

The upcoming European Ocean Days (3-7 March 2025, Brussels, Belgium) and the UN Ocean Conference (9-13 June 2025, Nice, France) will capture media headlines.

To learn more about the ocean and to engage with experts, join us on 20 February 2025 for an exclusive press briefing.

Going beyond the headlines ahead of these global milestones, REVOLVE invites journalists to a context-setting briefing with experts and advocates in the field of ocean literacy and ocean governance to make sense of the bigger picture.

20 February

2025

from 11:00-12:30 CET

Replay


Panel Discussion & Speakers

This press briefing will explore ocean literacy, water sustainability, community-driven initiatives supported by our EU-funded projects BlueLightS, Towards International Panel for Ocean Sustainability (Towards IPOS), and the EU Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean).

Key initiatives

Success Stories

Seascape: the state of our oceans

This series from The Guardian draws attention to the dramatic changes taking place in our oceans, and the innovations under way to tackle them.

The Thalassophile Project

An Erasmus+ partnership of organisations in accessible pedagogy and marine conservation and research introducing marine science and conservation accessible to European citizens, especially those who are hearing or visually impaired.

Network of Blue Schools

A collaborative programme enhancing ocean literacy in schools by fostering responsible, active generations that contribute to ocean sustainability through interdisciplinary learning and community engagement.

Resources

Special Insights

with Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson

Infographic

What is Ocean Literacy
10 Dimensions of Ocean Literacy

EU Mission

Restore our Oceans and Waters

Press Release

by Towards IPOS

Videos

The following is a selection of interviews and videos that give insights and visuals of some of the projects and people leading the advocacy for ocean literacy and sustainability.