Understanding oceans: Why UNESCO wants to map 80% of the world‘s seabed

Published: 7th Mar, 2022

Context

Around 80 per cent of the world’s ocean floors will be mapped by 2030, pledged the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

According to UNESCO, only 20 per cent seabed has been mapped and studied.

Background

UNESCO started working towards this goal in 2017 when it joined hands with Japan’s Nippon Foundation, a non-profit that works on marine resource development among other projects, to launch the Seabed 2030 program.

Seabed 2030 Project:

Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).
It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all.
The project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in June 2017 and is aligned with the UN's SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

Understanding oceans: Why UNESCO wants to map 80% of the world‘s seabed

User Login

User Register

Forgot Password

Verify Your Mobile Number