THE OCEANS DAY AT CANCUN
At the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 16) (November 29-December 10, 2010, Cancun, Mexico)
December 4, 2010, 9:00AM-6:00PM
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© 2010 Blog News Service
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Background
Climate change is already impacting and threatening coastal communities and indigenous peoples in both developed and developing countries as well as small island developing States (SIDS). The continuous and increasing emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have serious consequences on oceans. Increases in acidity, warming, altered circulation patterns and sea level rise that oceans are actually experiencing are a result of excessive CO2 emissions. The oceans play a central role in climate--generating oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating climate and temperature. But, the oceans’ ability to provide these life-sustaining services is now at risk. And, the more than 50% of the human population that lives in 183 coastal countries, including 44 small island nations, are at the frontline of climate change and will suffer disproportionate impacts from ocean warming, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification.
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts in association with the Secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources of the Mexican States of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan, and the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry (SEMARNAT), Mexico, will bring together Parties and Observer States, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, science, industry and members of civil society during a day especially dedicated to oceans— December 4, 2010--at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP16) to be held from November 29 to December 10, 2010 in Cancún, Mexico.
Purpose
Oceans Day at Cancun will draw high-level attention to the oceans issues at the climate talks at COP16 in Cancun. The sessions will highlight the direct link between climate change, the health of the oceans, and human well-being, as well as the need for sufficient funding to support bold mitigation and adaptation actions that will minimize climate change impacts on coastal communities and ocean resources, including impacts on water supply for communities and on water allocation to ocean and coastal ecosystems.
Organizers
Co-organizers:
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Global Environment Facility
Secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources of the Mexican States of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan
Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Mexico
Collaborating Organizations:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK
Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University
Oceana
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego
Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat
UN-Oceans
United Nations Development Programme
Venue:
Kukulcan III
Now Jade Riviera Cancun
Unidad 26 Mz. 20 Lote 1-1 Sm.3
Puerto Morelos Benito Juárez,
77580 Quintana Roo, Mexico
Tel: (52) 998.872.8888
Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in collaboration with the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands
Oceans Day at Cancun Contact:
Gwenaelle Hamon
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy
College of Earth, Ocean and Environment
University of Delaware, Robinson Hall 202
Newark, Delaware 19716 USA
Tel: 1 (302) 831-2978; Fax: 1 (302) 831-3668
Email: ghamon@udel.edu
