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Preface
The ocean has been a cornerstone of human development
throughout the history of civilization. People continue to come to
the coasts to build some of the largest cities on the planet, with
thriving economies, culture and communities. Ocean and coastal
ecosystems provide us with resources and trade opportunities that
greatly benefit human well-being.
These benefits are often taken for granted as we fail to recognize
their underlying value. In our narrow pursuit of progress through
purely economic and social development we often fail to protect the
health of our marine system that we depend upon. Today, however,
we increasingly realize the importance of healthy ecosystems for
sustainable development that is reflected in the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) recently adopted by the United Nations.
We can no longer afford to apply an antagonistic paradigm between
development and conservation. The SDG framework provides the
world with the opportunity to transform how we think about the
‘Oceans and Us’.
This publication highlights the critical contribution of healthy marine
and coastal ecosystems to achieving the SDGs and describes the
role of credible and accessible data, well communicated knowledge
generated through dialogue with users, in supporting informed
decision-making.
Chief Scientist and ad interim
Director of UNEP’s Division of Early
Warning and Assessment
Prof. Jacqueline McGlade