Charles Clover, campaigner and author, told an audience at the Guernsey literary festival about ‘tendrils of hope’ in marine conservation across the world.
He encouraged Guernsey to take the leap and join the movement to protect 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030.
In his interview with Sally Rochester of Mourant, Charles discussed the state of marine conservation around the world, based on his book, ‘Rewilding the Sea: How to Save Our Oceans’ and said there were many more positive developments since his previous book, ‘The End of the Line’ (1993).
Charles said that he had learned in his short time on island that Guernsey’s waters were less exploited that those around them and that there were rich habitats such as maerl, kelp and seagrass – the last of which was actually increasing in area – all of which would repay renewed study and mapping. He was impressed by the island, the knowledge and passion of government staff and deputies, and said that he saw potential for Guernsey to play a meaningful role in rewilding of the seas.
He said that now would be a great time for to discuss getting involved in moves to protect 30 per cent of the global ocean by 2030. Guernsey has been investigating the possibility of joining with the UK and Jersey in becoming a member of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the treaty first signed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
In Montreal in 2022, 186 countries agree to a plan to protect 30 per cent of the world’s land and sea by 2030. That agreement is becoming a common part of international negotiations in many fields, including free trade agreements.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, president of the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure, States of Guernsey, was present at the talk and at a round table discussion afterwards organised by Mourant, sponsors of the event. After it she said: “It’s been fascinating having the benefit of Charles’s knowledge and experience of what happens all over the world, with his global insights yet incredibly practical experience on the ground. That’s the most positive message that I’ve taken out of this: that small local changes can make a very big difference.
“We have been following Jersey’s progress with their Marine Spatial Plan and here we have a number of different reasons relating to prioritised policies to progress one of our own. I know we have a third sector and a community that is closely connected with our marine environment, and I think intuitively understands the need for its protection. I’d like to think we have something special, and as a parent of young children I’d like to think we can not only protect it, but as you have demonstrated, actually improve it for generations to come.”
Pictured: Left to right – Sally Rochester, Charles Clover and Lindsay de Sausmarez.
