Keele University researcher calls for new UN Ocean Agency to tackle global sustainability crisis

A Keele University academic has called for the creation of a United Nations Ocean Agency to coordinate global action on the ocean and drive progress on climate, biodiversity, and pollution - the "triple planetary crisis" threatening life on Earth.

In a new paper published in Ambio, the journal of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Dr Adam Moolna argues public passion for ocean sustainability can be used to pressure political and economic transformation for a sustainable future. His study proposes the creation of a UN Ocean Agency to lead global action, and a 'Rivers to Seas' approach to connect people inland to ocean sustainability and inspire a new era of coordinated international leadership.

"Wherever people live, they inhabit part of a river catchment that - almost always - leads to the ocean,” said Dr Moolna, a lecturer in environment and sustainability at Keele.

"Manaus in Brazil is 1,500km from the coast, for example, but on a tributary of the Amazon. And Minneapolis in the United States is 1,600km from the Atlantic but connected to the ocean by the Mississippi. Ocean sustainability matters to everyone because planetary health depends on the ocean, and a healthy ocean requires a sustainability transformation across society, land and sea.

"We are, however, failing to stop ocean health declining and in a large part that is because of divided responsibilities and a failure to coordinate action. We have threats of unilateral action from countries such as the United States on seabed mining in the high seas.

"A UN Ocean Agency could bring together fragmented responsibilities and turn political promises into real-world progress."

Dr Moolna's research highlights how inland populations, far from the coast, remain deeply connected to the ocean through river catchments, pollution pathways, and global trade. He calls for accessible, emotive storytelling to engage the public, paired with detailed, principle-based policies to ensure meaningful action.

The paper points to the success of public concern over marine plastics - which spurred the global plastics treaty process - as proof of how popular engagement can shape international policy. Yet, Dr Moolna warns, such momentum must now expand to broader ocean issues like overfishing, pollution, and the need for equitable ocean governance.

Currently, ocean responsibilities are scattered across multiple international bodies. A dedicated UN Ocean Agency, Dr Moolna argues, would unify these efforts, strengthen science-policy collaboration, and coordinate investment toward the UN's post-2030 sustainability goals.

Dr Moolna said: "Ocean health is planetary health. By recognising our shared 'Rivers to Seas' connection, we can empower citizens everywhere to demand accountability and accelerate the transformation to a sustainable future.

"Humanity must rethink its relationship with the ocean - not just to halt the decline in marine environments but for communities inland too."