Sea of Opportunities

The facts make for uneasy - albeit, unsurprising reading. A recent study by the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services shows that over onethird of marine mammals are now threatened with extinction. More disconcertingly, research by UNESCO points to plastic likely outweighing all fish in the sea by 2050. But the fight must go on. Demonstrating unwavering optimism, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, a Rolex Testimonee since 1982, and legendary marine conservation scientist, isn't one to view the glass as half empty. Instead, she chose to call the areas of the oceans in the most desperate need for protection "Hope Spots".
There are currently over 160 Hope Spots covering an estimated 57.5 million square kilometres of ocean. Identified by Earle's marine conservation initiative, Mission Blue, which she founded in 2009, these spots include richly biodiverse regions such as the Azores Archipelago and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, as well as the far-flung Central Arctic Ocean, the only remaining place in the Arctic to be free from the impacts of commercial fishing.
Mission Blue's to-do list for the Hope Spots is exhaustive. It includes rallying global ocean conservation groups, lobbying corporate organisations, educating the public by all means necessary (from evocative documentaries to catchy Instagram stories) ―all while embarking on regular oceanic expeditions to study ecosystems and build support for their protection.
However, even with Earle's track record of spending over 7,000 hours underwater and leading more than 100 marine expeditions, she couldn't have done it alone.
Nor should she. Since 2014, Rolex has supported Mission Blue to help protect 30 per cent of the world's seas by 2030. It is a race against time, a deadline based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) recommended target for safeguarding ocean health. But Earle is confident, not least in her belief in the collective effort.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2024-Ausgabe von Prestige Singapore.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2024-Ausgabe von Prestige Singapore.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden

A TEST OF METTLE
In the spring of 1965, four watch companies were invited to send chronograph watches to NASA’s Engineering & Development Department.

A TASTE OF MARGARET RIVER
Sip and swirl. Though young in age, this coastal haven in Australia has already earned its place among the world's premier wine regions.

EFFORTLESS ELEVATION
Ski holidays can be a bump-free set-up with Club Med's luxurious alpine offerings, ddesigned to cater to even the most discriminating après-skier.

CREATURE COMFORTS
Chopard’s artistic director, Caroline Scheufele, reveals her deep love of nature's creations at Cannes.

Legacy In Bloom
ANTONIN KHALIFÉ channels heritage and heart into Il y avait un Jardin, a fragrant tribute to family and nature from Henry Jacques.

Heatwave Heroes
In a climate that tests every limit, our skin is just about managing to keep up. Boost it back to peak condition with these products.

THE GOOD LIFE
AS SHE EMBRACES MIDLIFE, SOCIALITE GRACE CHNG IS FOCUSING HER ENERGIES ON LIFE'S REAL LUXURIES - HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

Rocking All the Greatest Hits
Tiffany & Co's latest high jewellery campaign gets our covetous hearts racing and sets the stage for a celebration of its iconic creations and expressive style.

Parisian Chic, Bottled
The latest haute scent and bath formulations from Celine channel French summers and sophistication in equal measure.

BLURRING THE LINES
Few artists have maintained the balance between high art and commercial culture quite as masterfully as TAKASHI MURAKAMI, whose collaborations with luxury houses like Louis Vuitton continue to blossom.