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The tail of a whale on the Pacific Ocean, Panama. Luis Acosta / AFP

On the agenda of the G7 talks this Monday morning, we will talk about protecting the oceans. The Surfrider Foundation Europe, which fights for the preservation of the oceans, has given a plea to the G7 leaders to remind them of the more vital need to protect the oceans.

With our special correspondent in Biarritz, Pierre Olivier

The topics targeted in this plea of ​​the Surfrider Foundation Europe should be discussed on Monday by heads of state. Among them, the fight against plastic pollution in the ocean should occupy a place of choice. Indeed, the impact of G7 member countries on marine pollution is far from negligible.

" We must know that we have multiplied by 200 our plastic production for 70 years. It's enormous. The theme of the G7 is also the fight against inequalities. We have a phenomenon more and more present. Northern countries send their plastic waste to the South. And so, we also think that fight against plastic pollution, it is also fight against inequalities, "said Gaëlle Haut, member of the Surfrider Foundation.

A reminder of the Paris agreement

The association that works for the protection of the oceans, also wants to remind some G7 countries of their commitments made in the Paris Agreement in 2015, including the total decarbonization of shipping as early as 2050. According to Surfrider spokesperson Antidia Citores, the leaders should look into the solutions that already exist: " We can rely on the hybridization of this shipping. The impact can be reduced by using the sail, using the electric ".

" The fact that the ocean is in poor health is a driver for inequality. The ocean regulates the climate, recalls the latter. Mostly, if you have less climate regulation, you have more extreme weather events. We will have particularly vulnerable coastal areas where we have vulnerable populations. "

Overexploitation that weighs

"On the other hand, we have this overexploitation which weighs on the ocean and some populations depend essentially on fishing for their animal proteins. And finally, the rising waters , it's obvious. The ocean-cryosphere report coming out in September will not tell us good news in this area. This will necessarily involve climate refugees and migratory movements. So, the time to think about the ocean to facilitate the reduction of inequalities is now, "says the spokesman.

In total, more than 50 organizations have signed this plea for the oceans, presented to G7 leaders.

►Also read: [Infographic] How our plastics end up in the oceans