World Ocean Summit Fireside Chat: Building A Global Consensus on A Zero-Pollution Ocean

Video Message

The Economist:

Which ocean issues by you most concern Sasakawa-san?

Sasakawa:

My biggest concern is that the Mother Ocean is in great distress because of issues such as ocean acidification and increase of marine litter including plastics. I feel that we are too ignorant about the ocean that covers 70 percent of the earth. For example, we are not only disinterested, but worse, we know far too little about the impacts of ocean acidification. Now is the time to be aware that land and the ocean are inseparable. For that we must preserve data about what is going on in the oceans and to repeatedly and urgently appeal that the entire planet is facing a serious crisis.

The Economist:

What approach has The Nippon Foundation taken to address these serious issues you are talking about?

Sasakawa:

The issue of the oceans that we are facing are complex and diverse. Therefore, it will not be a fundamental solution if we are to tackle only individual problems. I believe that we need to train human resources who have a wide outlook. We have made efforts to create a network of those who have completed their training. From 1989 with the cooperation of international organizations, research institutes, and universities we have carried out human resource development programs in multiple areas such as ocean governance, Law of the Sea, ocean observation, and ocean floor mapping. To date a total of close to 1600 people from 150 countries have been trained in these programs. They are a group of specialists of the new generation who work in collaboration with a global perspective. The international project of which they are the leaders are beginning to show results.

The Economist:

The “Back to Blue” initiative will launch a comprehensive report on chemical pollution in the ocean. What are your thoughts or expectations on the report?

Sasakawa:

Recently, an important issue has come up in the international community which had not been discussed until now. It is the issue of chemical pollution. According to a recent study, there are at least 350 thousand  synthetic chemicals and thousands more being added each year. The impact on human health and environment is hardly known. If other chemicals are used, there is still a possibility that those could be harmful too. Up to now there has not been enough investigation about the safety of these synthetic chemicals. It is my hope that this report which sheds light on the dangers of chemical pollution will lead to international discussion and the realization that without the preservation of a healthy ocean environment, there will be no guarantee for the continuation of humankind.

The Economist:

What are your hopes or expectations for the future of the “Back to Blue” initiative?

Sasakawa:

With the collaboration of The Nippon Foundation that has tackled ocean issues for a long time and The Economist that has deepened dialogue with stakeholders toward the solution of challenges of the ocean, I firmly believe that we will be able help lead the world on the path to realization of a sustainable ocean. This partnership will be going into the second year in April. This year there is a plan to undertake the issue of ocean acidification. This is also an equally important issue together with marine chemical pollution. Research has found that with increase in ocean acidification, it will be difficult for shellfish and coral to produce their calcium carbonate shell structures. Therefore, The Nippon Foundation started a project in August 2020 to survey the coastal areas of Japan. We are going to tackle more aggressively with all these critical challenges and at the same time, I sincerely hope that together with our partner, The Economist, we will be able to transmit to the entire world, with a loud voice, this critical state of the world’s oceans.