Cosmology & Eco Justice

A number of events were attended by MIA_MGA at the UN, including:

World Oceans Day, June 8th stands as an annual reminder for the world to protect, honor and conserve the oceans across the globe. This year, World Oceans Day marked the commencement of the first Oceans Conference at the United Nations. In celebration, a three-hour event featuring speakers ranging from world-renowned ocean experts and explorers, representatives from coastal communities, celebrities, and voices from current and future generations was held in order to raise awareness and highlight the beauty and fragility of the oceans. The active presence of United Nations member states demonstrated their commitment to promoting the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, conserving our world’s oceans.

The speakers shared impactful experiences and wisdom. Quotes include:

It is a "heartbreak to be a witness of this degradation...we are up against some monumental challenges"- Fabian Cousteau, Ocean Conservationist, and Documentary Filmmaker
"We are all connected to the sea and tied to its fate; listen to the ocean and hear what it's saying to us"-Brian Skerry, National Geographic Photographer
We must ask ourselves, "Do we have the courage to face the realities of our time and allow ourselves to feel deeply enough that it transforms us and our future?"-Chris Jordan, Artist, Photographer, Filmaker "Midway"
"Reasons for hope? I am looking at it right now...now is the time to make a difference"-Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist, Explorer, Author, and Lecturer

Watch:Celebration of World Oceans Day
 

Member States at the UN Reaffirm Commitments to Water at Third Special Thematic Session

July 20th marked the Third Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters entitled, ‘ Adaptation to Climate Change, Boosting Financing and Investment, and Advancing Science and Technology’. This session was convened under resolution A/RES/71/222 of the General Assembly marking and International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018 -2028 and recalls and reaffirms commitments of UN Member States to take steps to achieve internationally agreed goals in relation to water including the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, as well as relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

Solving water related issues is critical for sustainable development, as “lack of access to safe drinking water sources, basic sanitation and sound hygiene, water-related disasters, water scarcity and water pollution will be further exacerbated by urbanisation, population growth, desertification, drought and other extreme weather events and climate change” (A/RES/71/222).

Within the opening session of the meeting, Mr Wu Hongbo, the Under Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs stated, “ I am convinced that these initiatives, combined with other ongoing actions by the UN system , the business and civil society, will help induce and multiply innovative solutions to the water and disaster challenge. Water is life. Water is livelihood. Water is the bloodline of the ecosystem and water is future. Let us value and treasure it, as we value and treasure our children.” It is imperative that we take these statements to heart, not lose hope and use them as tools for advocacy to hold governments accountable.

Download the complete report here (PDF)

Messages to: Angela Reed rsm - MIA Coordinator at the UN - Mercy Global Action