In late 2011, the Pacific Life Foundation announced its largest pledge ever - up to $5,000,000 over a five-year period to Conservation International to be the Founding Presenting Sponsor of the Ocean Health Index initiative.
In simple terms, the Index is an annual "report card" on the condition of our oceans with a score ranging from zero to 100. The Index alerts citizens around the world to the fact that many ocean ecosystems are in danger of collapsing. In addition, the Index provides a valuable tool for individuals and policymakers to track the health of the world's oceans, as well as the health of their regional and local oceans.
The Ocean Health Index has been in development for the past three years, engaging over 65 scientists and ocean experts around the world drawing on over 100 databases. It is the first global assessment of the ocean's capacity to thrive sustainably and to provide services to human well-being. This information is crucial as the oceans (which cover 70 percent of the world's surface) help regulate our climate, absorb carbon dioxide, and are an important source of species biodiversity. Most importantly, more than 50 percent of the oxygen we breathe comes from the oceans.
The 2012 global Ocean Health Index score was in August 2012. What do you think the first Ocean Health Index score is for the world's ocean? Click here for the answer and to learn what you can do to improve the health of the ocean.
It is our hope that the Ocean Health Index will stimulate a focus on, and an improvement in ocean health, and the Pacific Life Foundation is proud to be at the forefront of this very important initiative.