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UNESCO San José urges to avoid plastic consumption to protect our seas
On this 8th of June, we commemorate World Oceans Day, a date that invites us to reflect on the importance of conserving and protecting our seas and oceans. Today, we join the global call to take urgent measures to reduce plastic consumption in Central America.
The world's oceans are facing an unprecedented crisis due to plastic pollution. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter the oceans, threatening marine life, coastal ecosystems, and human health. As a coastal region rich in biodiversity, Central America is not exempt from this problem, and we must take responsibility for protecting our oceans.
The excessive consumption of single-use plastics, such as bottles, bags, and packaging, has become one of the main sources of pollution in our seas. Alexander Leicht, director of UNESCO San José, stated, "On this World Oceans Day, we urge all stakeholders, from citizens to businesses and governments, to take decisive action to reduce plastic consumption and seek sustainable alternatives in the region."
We must remember that our health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the health of the oceans. Every individual and collective action counts and can make a difference in the protection and preservation of our marine ecosystems.
Let us unite in this global cause and work to ensure that future generations can enjoy clean and prosperous oceans.
Efforts for the care of the oceans
UNESCO San José has initiatives aimed at protecting the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the region, such as the possible establishment of the largest transboundary marine biosphere reserve in the world, called the "Transboundary Marine Biosphere Reserve of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor - Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama."
Furthermore, through the Biosphere Reserve Network in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, these coastal ecosystems are protected, and collaboration with local communities is carried out for nature conservation.
On the other hand, on December 5, 2017, the United Nations proclaimed the "Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030," which seeks to create a set of rules and principles that ensure that science can fully assist countries in their efforts to achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
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