State of the Ocean: Understanding Our Planet's Blue Heart

In this episode of The Future of Sustainability, host Michael Hanf speaks with Vidar Helgesen, IOC Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and former Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment. Helgesen shares his journey from politics and diplomacy to leading the UN’s central body for ocean science, and why safeguarding our oceans is one of the defining challenges of our time.

The ocean is more than a vast expanse of water. It is Earth’s life-support system. It produces half the oxygen we breathe, regulates climate and weather, and sustains biodiversity and livelihoods worldwide. Yet it remains the least understood and least protected part of our planet. Only 27 percent of the seafloor has been mapped, and vast regions of marine life remain undiscovered. As Helgesen warns, “We need to learn more and faster about the ocean.”

Together, Michael and Vidar explore:

• The role of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in coordinating global ocean science and turning knowledge into policy
• Why investing in ocean observation such as satellites, buoys, tide gauges, and data sharing is critical for disaster preparedness, agriculture, fisheries, and climate action
• The growing importance of international agreements like the High Seas Treaty and the 30x30 biodiversity pledge
• How businesses and industries can support sustainable ocean economies and why innovation will be key to unlocking opportunities in food, health, and technology
• The challenges of public awareness, including why plastics have captured attention while issues like nutrient pollution, dead zones, and destructive fishing remain under the radar
• Practical steps individuals can take as consumers, from choosing sustainable seafood to supporting better ocean policies

Helgesen calls the ocean “the beating blue heart of our planet,” reminding us that all societies depend on its health, whether we live by the coast or thousands of kilometers inland. From rainfall patterns and food production to weather extremes and marine biodiversity, our futures are tied to the ocean’s fate.

Looking ahead to 2030 and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Helgesen envisions a world where ocean knowledge is not just generated by scientists but widely shared, owned, and acted upon by governments, industries, and citizens alike. Building this collective awareness, he argues, is the essential first step toward safeguarding the ocean for future generations.

Tune in to hear why the ocean must move to the center of the sustainability agenda and what we can all do to keep our planet’s blue heart beating strong.

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