The Isle of Wight has declared an urgent need for ocean recovery, recognising its importance in the fight against climate change.
Last night (Wednesday) the Isle of Wight Council became the latest local authority to pass the ‘Motion for the Ocean’ after councillors voted in favour of supporting the declaration.
A series of pledges
In doing so, the council made a series of pledges ranging from embedding the sea into its decision and policy making, to growing ocean literacy and marine citizenship on the Island.
The motion also calls on the government to do more to stop water companies discharging untreated sewage into inland coastal waters, and to strengthen the rules around single-use plastics.
Microplastic filters
This includes making it a legal requirement that all new washing machines are fitted with microplastic filters.
This is to tackle the 500,000 tonnes of microfibres which are released into the oceans every year simply from washing clothes.
Island residents witnessing the ocean crisis first-hand
In putting forward the motion to Full Council, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for climate change and biosphere, said the Island was on the front line of the ocean crisis.
He said,
“Poor water quality is impacting seafood and safe bathing. Our beaches suffer from litter with each tide, much of it plastic, and our coastline is fragile, increasing the risk to infrastructure and properties, and increasing the risk of flooding and storm damage.
“Island residents are being disproportionately impacted relative to inland communities, in particular because the ocean is a key part of our heritage and economy
“Urgent action is needed to halt these devastating changes.”
Ocean and climate in a state of emergency
The Ocean Recovery Declaration — or Motion for the Ocean — was developed by marine experts supported by the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group in recognition our ocean and climate are in a state of emergency.
Variations of the motion have now been passed by some 15 local authorities, including Portsmouth City Council and now the Isle of Wight Council.
Like the Climate Emergency declared by the council in 2019, this pledge is multi-faceted and calls on everyone to play their part in protecting and investing in our coastal areas.
A clean, healthy and productive ocean has direct economic, health and wellbeing benefit and is an essential allay in our fight against climate change.
So-called ‘blue carbon’ — carbon captured by the world’s ocean — could also play an integral role in helping the Island meet its net zero targets.
Isle of Wight Council ocean recovery pledges
Among the council’s key pledges are to:
- ensure the Climate and Environment Board receives regular updates as part of its ongoing work on actions and projects that will assist ocean recovery around the Island;
- embed ocean recovery in all strategic decisions, plans, budgets and approaches to decisions by the council, particularly in planning, regeneration, skills and economic policy;
- promote close working between the council and all relevant partners with interests and responsibilities relating to the waters around us;
- ensure the forthcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategy strives to support ocean recovery.
- through local schools and colleges, seek to grow ocean literacy and marine citizenship.
The Isle of Wight UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
The Isle of Wight UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is a large designation covering the whole of the Island’s land surface and all of its inshore waters, including most of the Solent.
The reserve borders three counties — the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Dorset — and is one of only seven UNESCO Biospheres in the UK and three in England.
Biosphere status, together with other local protected site designations, provide the potential tools to address the issues and achieve the aims set out in the motion.
These also tie-in with the UN Sustainable Development Goals which the council is already supporting.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: © Visit Isle of Wight
