COP26 and the ocean: let's make a point

Following the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) hosted in Glasgow, Scotland (UK), Valentina Lovat, Advisor to the Ocean Literacy Programme of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, interviewed Anna Maria Marino, Liaison Officer of Youth and Environment Europe, and Andrea Grieco, Head of Impacts of AWorld and specialist in SDGs and Agenda 2030. Anna Maria Marino and Andrea Grieco expressed their point of view on COP26, describing the main points and objectives achieved regarding the future in terms of climate and climate change.

What is the COP26?

COP26, the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, took place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021. Led by the United Kingdom, the conference brought together leaders, activists and environmental experts from around the world to negotiate and agree on strategies to address the effects of climate change.

Why is the ocean important when discussing climate?

The ocean is our main ally in the fight against climate change: it produces more than 50% of oxygen, absorbs about 30% of carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, and in the last 50 years has absorbed more than 90% of the heat emitted by our activities. The ocean therefore has a major and fundamental role in mitigating climate and global warming.