We’re rewriting the Ocean’s future
July 16, 2025
OceanCare handing over our signatures to UN Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson / Photo: Lionel Bouffier, OceanCare
By WeMove Europe
Every year, speeding ships kill countless whales, while engine noise disrupts their ability to communicate and feed. [1] The solution is simple: slow ships down. [2]
Just a few weeks ago, world leaders, scientists, and ocean champions came together for the major UN Ocean Conference to shape the future of our life-giving oceans. [3] And you were there too – even if not in person.
In the days leading up to the summit, over 110,000 of you signed the petition demanding that all heads of state protect our oceans. That number echoed through the halls as our partners at OceanCare carried your voices directly to decision-makers. [4]
Your voice made waves at the Ocean Conference
Thanks to pressure from people like you:
37 countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, have joined forces to tackle underwater noise [5] – a serious threat to whales and other marine life. [6]
Key officials in the Spanish government committed to slowing ship speeds in the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor, after receiving our petition from partners. Whales are regularly killed by speeding ships in this Spanish Marine Protected Area. [7]
We’ve gained powerful allies. UN Ocean Ambassador Peter Thomson sent a video message directly to our community – you can watch it here.
A turning point for the Deep
We also came to the summit to defend the deep sea. Greedy mining companies are digging, dredging and destroying it for minerals. Over 147,000 WeMove members are calling for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining. [8]
Our partners organized powerful panels with voices from across the globe, and together, we achieved AMAZING news:
During the conference, Slovenia, Latvia, Cyprus, and the Marshall Islands joined the call for a global pause on deep-sea mining — bringing the total to 37 countries, just three years after France led the way. Thanks to our pressure they are saying NO to destroying the deep sea for profit. [9]
French President Macron, UN Secretary-General Guterres, and the President of the European Council have all now spoken out against this madness. [10]
Your continued support brings us closer to real, lasting ocean protection. But there’s still more work ahead. Together, we can rewrite the future of the Ocean.
