THE MONACO DECLARATION

Developed following the Second Symposium on Ocean Acidification (The Ocean in a High CO2 World) held in the Principality of Monaco in October 2008 and co-signed by 155 leading scientists from 26 countries, the “Monaco Declaration” was presented in January 2009 at the ASLO aquatic science congress in Nice, France.

The declaration, with forewords by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, calls for political decision-makers to address the issue of ocean acidification and encourage research in the field. It urges for immediate action to reduce CO2 emissions sharply to prevent changes in ocean chemistry and widespread and severe damage to marine ecosystems on which half of the world population depends for survival.

Ocean acidification is caused by the absorption by the ocean of increasing quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted to the atmosphere from human activities.

This phenomenon impacts various marine organisms that need calcium carbonate to survive such as coral reefs, mollusks and crustaceans, and can severely disturb the entire marine food chain. In the long run, this could result in significant consequences on human activities such as tourism, aquaculture, and the fishing industry.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Monégasque Government strongly support The Monaco Declaration, which, based on the Research Priorities Report developed by participants at the 2nd Symposium on Ocean Acidification, urges political leaders to take action.

Since its release in January, the Monaco Declaration has made headlines around the world raising public awareness and the urgency for a global consensus on the issue of ocean acidification. In His forewords, Prince Albert II of Monaco urges political leaders to heed the Monaco Declaration as they prepare for climate negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Download the Monaco Declaration (pdf)

For more information, visit www.pa2f.org or www.visitmonaco.com/pa2f