By Stamatina Mylonas, Healthy Seas volunteer
The United Nations Water Conference kicked off the multi-day event with a gathering of visitors from all over the world. Like-minded individuals representing hundreds of organizations and interest groups joining together at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Over the course of three days, conference goers have access to hundreds of panels and sessions covering an array of topics focused on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Supporting Healthy Seas, I was able to get exclusive access into all the action. I sat in rooms full of leaders and activists ready to tackle the challenges that threaten Earth’s water systems. Topics ranged from the role of indigenous people in governing shared waters to innovation and entrepreneurship for developing new capabilities in the water sector. One panel that I was able to visit discussed the importance of collecting data and democratizing this data so that all people may have access to it. Knowledge about what state our water systems are in can be a motivating force for more action and innovation.
Sporting a t-shirt with the Healthy Seas logo served as a conversation starter. People were interested in hearing about the organization and the ways which it aids in protecting water. Healthy Sea’s circular economy model was a particular point of interest. I explained the process of recycling fishing nets collected from the sea into nylon thread and eventually fashion or interior items. Other people who were already familiar with Healthy Seas expressed that they were happy to see the organization in attendance at the conference.
Healthy Seas is an organization determined in their mission to rid the sea of deadly discarded fishing nets, often referred to as ghost nets. Not only does this mission aim to save marine life from being trapped in these nets, it also contributes to a circular economy by eliminating waste and ensuring its recycling. The beauty of the United Nations Water Conference is that each individual or organization attending has the same determination in their mission. Although each may tackle challenges affecting water from different angles, they are all in harmony that it is an urgent need to protect water on Earth.
The vibes in the historic United Nations building on the opening day of the conference were of positivity and action. It felt like a celebration but also a call to action with an air of serious intent by all in attendance. The ultimate mission of the conference is to identify the problems that stand in the way of protecting water on Earth and to create solutions. The goals and outcomes of the conference will culminate in the Water Action Agenda document. It will be a summary of the proceedings of the conference and the collective goals and commitments agreed upon by nations, industries, stakeholders, individuals and so on.
It was an honor to represent Healthy Seas as a part of this collective effort. It is a difficult task to dive in the seas and oceans of our Earth to collect destructive ghost nets. Healthy Seas takes on this hard work and supports life below water in its unique way. Each day Healthy Seas continues to save more marine life and protect water.
