The tide is turning
18/06/2025
Dear Planetary Steward, dear friend of the Global Commons Alliance,
In times of uncertainty, the courage of collective action can rekindle hope in all of us. Around the world, communities are coming together — across borders, oceans, and generations — to demand justice, protection, and a livable future. They are signals of a turning tide toward fairness, accountability, and resilience. This solidarity in reaction to injustice and instability is a kind of renewal, as societies shed old ways and shift toward systemic change. They are reminders that what each of us does right now, will shape reality for generations to come.
The Global Commons Alliance is continuing to accelerate this shift by convening ideas, amplifying science and boosting accountability next week at London Climate Action Week. Some of the key events where you will be able to find us are listed here.
As the tides rise, so does ocean leadership. At the UN Ocean Conference last week, 19 new countries pledged support for the High Seas Treaty to create marine protected areas or enforce conservation on the high seas. It’s been said that David Attenborough’s film ‘Ocean’, which showed the devastation wrought on our seas by industrial fishing alongside extraordinary stories of regeneration, was a galvanising factor in spurring action on the Treaty. Dive into insights from attendees from the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), who highlight the importance of inclusive, science-based action. We must place coastal and Indigenous communities at the center of ocean stewardship.
More positive change this week comes from the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, which published Guidelines and Recommendations for Halting Deforestation. This is a vital signal for investors that stopping deforestation is key to addressing climate risk and future-proofing investment value.
Also this week, scientists from around the world signed an open letter for Brazil President Lula as a reminder of the scientific evidence for an urgent transition away from fossil fuels to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Science must be the backbone of decision-making to create a just world, on a safe planet. In 2023, the Earth Commission published its first landmark assessment of the scientific research from around the world, quantifying both “safe” and “just” boundaries. This week, its latest study warns that between 14% and 85% of the global population is already exposed to harm from breached boundaries across five key areas of the Earth system, with the highest percentage of people exposed to air pollution. Justice must be at the heart of all efforts to safeguard our planet.
Across our Alliance and wider network, we’re seeing the power of coordinated action surging in waves — always remaining rooted in science, informed by justice, and driven by a shared purpose. Let’s move forward together.
With all our best,
Sebastian Schienle, Director of Partnerships and Programs, and Will Tucker, Director of Communications and Resource Mobilization
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