The Ocean, Our Origin and Our Future

There is a renewed interest in 'VUCA World' (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity in the World) during this pandemic. VUCA – first used in 1987, drawing on the leadership theories of world-renowned guru on the subject, Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus. COVID 19 situation fits well into VUCA world.

COVID19 challenge is extremely serious and maybe it will be gone sooner or later. However, we must not lose sight of the much greater problem of which the current threat may be just one manifestation: that is Climate Change.

The Ocean is probably the greatest VUCA system in the Climate Change conundrum. The Ocean is, inter alia, 99% of the biosphere, the mover of 95% of our trade, the bin for 90% of our waste and absorber of 50% of CO2 . It is global air-conditioner and heater. The life emerged from ocean, prospered due to ocean and our future depends on it. We must look after it.

Equity amongst people, planet and profits at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals. Four ocean-based initiatives would lead to this, namely, conserving and restoring mangroves, scaling up offshore wind energy production, decarbonising international shipping and increasing sustainable fisheries and other sea food production. Typically, a $1 investment in these four could yield a $5 benefit in 30 years while simultaneously ameliorating the environment and humanity. 

About the Author

Sunil Murlidhar Shastri is a consultant, expert and speaker in ocean and environmental governance. He found his passion for Pacem in Maribus in 1982 under the tutelage of Elisabeth Mann Borgese and has since made it his mission. He is best known internationally for his MasterClass in Ocean and Environmental Governance and for his erudite analysis and candid opinions. Sunil has attended, at various times, the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, International Ocean Institute, Aachen Technical University, Dalhousie University, London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, supported throughout by prestigious scholarships. In the past, Sunil has been an academic and researcher in marine and environmental policy, a consulting ocean engineer, and an academic and a researcher in mining and ocean engineering. Sunil is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. He was born in India in 1955 and has lived in the UK since 1988 with his wife and son.