The upcoming release of the World Ocean Assessment, described as potentially the most significant book ever written on the ocean, has been announced, featuring ocean advocates Sylvia Earle and explorer Fabien Cousteau. Set to launch on World Oceans Day, June 8, the 1,600-page assessment is the culmination of over five years of work by 550 experts from 86 countries. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the increasing pressures on the ocean and the necessary actions for its protection.
Steven Hill, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs at the United Nations, stated that the assessment “reinforces a very clear message: that science is indispensable.” He added that the report provides a foundation for understanding ongoing profound changes, from climate-driven shifts to biodiversity loss, and for shaping effective actions at both local and global levels.
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite decades of progress, vast areas of the ocean, particularly the deep sea, remain poorly understood. Veteran ocean scientist Sylvia Earle emphasized that the report also highlights the scale of work still to be done. “Another piece of work that needs to be done, and will take many volumes, is the magnitude of what we still don’t know,” Earle said. Echoing a famous quote by Mark Twain, she noted that while scientists have far more knowledge than previous generations, they must remain aware of how much remains unknown. “We should not be too boastful in thinking we have all the right answers,” she added.
Knowledge Alone is Not Enough
Steven Hill continued, “Knowledge alone is not enough.” He stated, “We are at a moment when ocean ecosystems are approaching critical thresholds, and our choices, based on the best available science, will determine the future of the ocean and the benefits it can provide.” Hill added that this knowledge needs to be inclusive, bringing together disciplines, regions, and diverse perspectives, including those of Indigenous peoples and local communities. Ocean advocate and granddaughter of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Fabien Cousteau, remarked, “Ultimately, we are all one community, and we all need to row in the same direction… the only way out of this is to move together.” Bahia Tahzib-Lie, Deputy Permanent Representative and Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, stated that the assessment “offers a strong roadmap for action through global cooperation and multilateralism.” As one of the co-chairs of the assessment, she emphasized that this landmark report may be the most comprehensive and insightful ocean assessment to date.
