The Monaco Declaration

Drawn up following the Second Symposium on Ocean Acidification, which was held in the Principality from 6th to 9th October 2008, the “Monaco Declaration” co-signed by 155 scientists from 26 countries, was publicised during the ASLO aquatic science congress that took place in Nice at the end of January.

The declaration, prefaced by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, is aimed at informing political decision makers on the challenges of ocean acidification and encouraging research in this field. It calls for immediate action so as to seriously reduce CO2 emissions in order to prevent physico-chemical modifications to the ocean causing extensive and serious damage to the marine ecosystems on which half of the world population’s survival depends.

Ocean acidification is a result of the ocean absorbing increasing quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by human activity.

This phenomenon has a direct impact on the various organisms that need limestone to survive, such as coral reef, and certain molluscs including shellfish, and can therefore cause disturbances to the marine food chain. In the long term, this process can have significant consequences on various human activities, such as tourism, aquaculture and the fishing industry.

The second symposium on ocean acidification was backed by the Government of Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, both of which are endeavouring, through this declaration, to give a more political dimension to the conclusions brought to the fore by scientists at this symposium.

In addition to a large number of references on the web, this declaration has already featured in the headlines of the international press (New York Times, Libération, le Figaro and le Monde). Such important circulation is proof both of the international impact of the “Monaco Declaration” and of the contribution it is making in raising the awareness of political leaders for upcoming international meetings including Copenhagen next December.
See the declaration