Page 506 - Economia Azul - versão: inglês

24

SISGAAZ, A STRATEGIC VISION OF

MONITORING AND PROTECTION OF OUR

BLUE ECONOMY

João Batista Barbosa

Mauricio Pires Malburg da Silveira

1. The National Strategy for Defense, Monitoring and Protection of
Amazônia Azul (Blue Amazon)

The seas and oceans have played an im- natural resources and fierce internation-
portant role throughout history, providing al disputes in unpopulated regions full
not only sustenance, but also development of biodiversity and natural resources, in-
and territorial expansion for humanity. We cluding areas under territorial disputes.
live surrounded by water, with the oceans Numerous efforts are being made to ad-
occupying 71% of the earth’s surface, pro- vocate for sustainable growth in the mar-
viding 70% of the oxygen released into itime sectors, recognizing the value of the
the atmosphere, produced by the photo- oceans in all its aspects, be they cultural,
synthetic processes underwater. Today, as social, or economic. In this sense, the Blue
in the past, the oceans are fundamental to Economy consolidates itself as a factor of
modern societies, as they contribute 16% resilience and hope and as a solid basis for
of the consumed animal protein. a more promising global future.
The oceans are the basis of countless The term “Blue Economy,” despite
economic activities that generate growth some divergent uses, refers to the eco-
and employment, adding potential wealth nomic scope of various sectors and related
of sustainable resources capable of pro- public and private policies that involve the
moting development as we cross into a sustainable use of ocean resources (World
new economic frontier. But they also bring Bank and United Nations Department of
enormous challenges to be overcome at Economic and Social Affairs, 2017), en-
the global and regional levels in coming compassing all economic growth generat-
years, such as climate change, food se- ed by the oceans and also on land, what
curity, energy supply, pollution control, should not be seen as an opportunity for
including the unregulated exploitation of endless exploration (Our Ocean, 2017).

SISGAAZ, a Strategic Vision 505
504 BLUE ECONOMY SISGAAZ, a Strategic Vision 505
504 A ECONOMIA AZUL