Denmark’s Finance Minister, Nicolai Halby Wammen, today announced that the Danish Government will propose a law on nature and biodiversity with a target to protect 20% of the ocean and strictly protect 10% of the ocean.
Speaking at The Ocean Race Summit Aarhus Wammen said: “I am very proud to say that the Danish Government will propose a law on nature and biodiversity and we have set a target to protect 20% of the ocean, and strictly protect 10% of the ocean, meaning that these areas will become essentially undisturbed from human presence.”
“This is a very important step which I hope others will follow, because it is very good to speak and dream about how to protect the ocean, but it is not enough:if we are to make a real difference, if we are to make real change, if we are to protect what we love and what we cherish, real action is needed,” he said.
“As humans, we are here for one brief shining moment, while the ocean has always been here and will remain here. We have not been very good at protecting it, which is something that the city and its people take very seriously,” continued the former mayor of the Danish city (2006–2011). “Let’s fight for the ocean as much as the ocean fights for us,” he said.
The event, held earlier today at Aarhus International Sailing Center during the stopover of the round-the-world sailing race, gathered together over 150 government, civil society and private sector representatives to explore ways in which the international community can come together to protect and regenerate the ocean and recognise its intrinsic rights.
The Summit analysed the power of sailing to influence positive change, the close intersection of science, shipping and sailing, the key role of youth in ocean action, the change needed for a more sustainable fashion industry, and featured innovative solutions.