A Pacific Ocean scientific consensus statement.

Scientists representing over 30 Pacific nations have recently signed a consensus statement detailing threats to the Pacific Ocean’s ecosystems. This document lists major threats to the ecology and economies of Pacific nations and suggests ways to stop damaging these ecosystems further.

The major threats to the Pacific Oceans marine ecosystems listed in the statement are:

• Habitat destruction
• Pollution from sewage and land runoff
• Overfishing
• Climate change

These threats are encountered regardless of a countries size, wealth, or population.

Many solutions will be needed stop or reverse ecosystem damage. Solutions range from reducing sewage run-off to the formation of a Pacific-wide executive body, incorporating the banking, industrial, ecological and educational sectors.

References
COS. (2008). Major threats facing the Pacific Ocean. Center for Ocean Solutions (COS). Retrieved 21 November 2008 from http://www.centerforoceansolutions.org/images/inline_images/threat_infographic.jpg
COS. (2008, October 3). Pacific Ocean initiatives. Center for Ocean Solutions (COS). Retrieved 14 November 2008 from http://www.centerforoceansolutions.org/problems.html
COS. (2008, October 3). Pacific Ocean scientific consensus statement. Center for Ocean Solutions (COS). Retrieved 21 November 2008 from http://www.centerforoceansolutions.org/initiatives_poi.html
COS. (2008, October 6). Ecosystems and People of the Pacific Ocean - Threats and Opportunities for Action: A Scientific Consensus Statement. Center for Ocean Solutions (COS). PDF retrieved 18 November 2008 from http://www.centerforoceansolutions.org/data/consensus_statement.pdf
Jackson, W. (2008, July 30). Motions: World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, 5–14 October 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). PDF retrieved 21 November 2008 from http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/motions_english_collated.pdf

This article was originally posted on the Microdocs: Short Attention Span Science Theater website.