Maintained by

Conditions for success

Common features

A quarter century ago, Jacques Cousteau predicted the imminent demise of his beloved Mediterranean Sea. Had nothing changed, he may have been right. The United Nations, however, in partnership with countries bordering the Sea, adopted an aggressive plan - the Mediterranean Action Plan. While acute problems remain and continuing action is needed, the severe overall degradation of the Mediterranean that Cousteau predicted has been averted, or at least postponed. Similar action has led to marked environmental improvement in Chesapeake Bay and other large estuaries. Improved environmental quality in the Thames River in England, Boston Harbor in the United States, and Xiamen Harbor in China show that determined, coordinated action can produce benefits even in large urban areas, where development and population pressures are concentrated.

Such successes are not confined to the industrialized world. In Namibia, for example, innovative management measures appropriate to local circumstances have enhanced the sustainability of the hake fishery and its economic benefits. Coastal communities on Apo Island in the Philippines have established marine reserves, leading to better catches for local fishers.

A common feature of these success stories is the existence of a constituency that is aware of the issues and committed to a collaborative process of solving environmental problems. Building this constituency requires clear communication and sharing of information among governments, industry, the international community, scientists, and most importantly the public. New technologies increasingly empower individuals and organisations to inform themselves and express their views, if they wish to do so.