ParisClimat2015:

The ocean plays an essential role in the world's water system. Unfortunately, it is faced with increasing pollution and over-exploitation of its resources and it is time to act. The participants of the ParisClimat2015: Objectif Océan symposium have come together to agree on some fundamental recommendations and actions that need to be taken to improve the ocean's health. These parties include key actors in the fields of ocean economy, local networks and economic associations. They have signed a declaration with recommendations on the cooperative management of coastal activities, the protection of the health and nourishment of the oceans, the future of ocean transport and the security and surveillance of the oceans for sustainable development. Their recommendations will be brought to the attention of the participants at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris later on this year to be acted upon. ESA's role in this is to provide accurate information on the ocean's health and provide satellite data to the relevant parties. With satellites like SMOS, GOCE and Envisat to monitor the ocean's health and navigational systems like SAT-AIS, Galileo and VDES to accurately position and keep track of vessels, or help communication, ESA has been able to cooperate with several partners on a wide range of satellite applications suitable for ocean observations. Ranging from oil spill detection and coastal water monitoring, to vessel identification and acidification of the ocean's water, ESA's satellites have performed their tasks and continue to perform them well.