On 20 and 21 October, the European Commission is hosting the ‘Hack4Oceans’ event with university students from all over Europe to co-create innovative solutions to key challenges facing the oceans and marine environment.
Participants will develop new ideas around marine litter, alternative food from the oceans, climate change and the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems. The initiative is part of the Commission’s Ocean Literacy Programme, which aims not only to raise awareness of ocean issues, but also to tap into the ideas of young Europeans. Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said: “The importance of our oceans and seas for our planet and their impact on our daily lives cannot be stressed enough. They regulate our weather, store CO2, provide food, oxygen, energy, transport, and are home to hundreds of thousands of animal and plant species. However, decades of overexploitation, pollution and climate change threaten all these functions. There is no true green without true blue. By involving young academics, we hope not only to find innovative solutions to some of our most pressing challenges, but also to raise awareness among Europeans of the urgency to act now and protect our oceans.” The event welcomes 75 undergraduate students from all over Europe, some of whom are studying in disciplines related to the blue economy. The students will be assisted virtually by a panel of 30 professionals from different sectors of the blue economy, including business, policy-making and academia, who will guide and support the young participants in their social innovation journey. The results will be available after the event online on the dedicated page and on social media via #Hack4Oceans.
