The convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage is a treaty that was adopted on 2nd November, 2001 by the General Conference of the UNESCO. This convention is intended to protect “all trace of human existence having a cultural, historical or archaeological character” which has been under water for over 100 years. The preservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage is significant as it allows for the retelling of numerous historical events in human history.

Cooperation among states, international organizations, scientific institutions, professional organizations, archaeologists, divers and the public at large, is essential for the protection of underwater Cultural Heritage.

Our common framework in Ocean Literacy is through our regular forum; “Save our Ocean – Save our Lives”.

Climate change is a threat to the entire creations. Climate change is a present reality and that is primarily caused by human actions. The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) statement on the status of the global climate in 2015, which stated that, 2015 marked the warmest global average near-surface Oceanic temperature, approximately 1oc above the 1850-1900 average. The ongoing rises observation revealed that, changes are happening in the ecosystems at a dangerous rate which lead to significant biodiversity loss and posed a huge threat on human existence.

Climate change or global warming refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate. The global climate is the connected system of sun, earth, oceans, wind, rain, snow, forest, deserts, savannas and everything people do too. Climate change is happening and is already here to say, and is being experienced all over the world in varying degrees as judged by the frequency, length and severity of extreme events occurring.

Climate Change Adaptation is the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects. Adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. Human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate and its effects through infrastructure, agriculture and of course, education.

When it comes to tracking climate change to prevent the impacts it causes on the different systems of the planet, the human being applies two types of measures namely: mitigation and adaptation.

• Mitigation approaches are those actions that are taken to reduce and curb greenhouse gas emissions.
• Adaptation approaches are based on reducing vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

Mitigation therefore attends to the causes of climate change while adaptations address its impacts.

Examples of mitigation approaches are; Practice Energy Efficiency, Greater use of Renewable Energy, Electrification of Industrial Processes, Carbon Tax and Emissions Market, Efficient means of Transportation Implementation.

Examples of adaptation approaches are; More Secure Facility Location and Infrastructures, Landscape Restoration (Reforestation), Flexible and Diverse Cultivation to be prepared for natural catastrophes, Research and Development on Possible Catastrophes, Preventive and Precautionary Measures etc.

African Heritage and Global Peace Initiative intervention on climate change is education, mobilization, sensitivity and advocacy at all levels.

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