The oceans are not only fascinating habitats, but also central regulators of our global climate and food systems. Yet they are under massive pressure: the sheer size of the oceans has long ensured their stability – but that limit now seems to have been reached. Climate change, CO₂ emissions, overfishing, plastic waste, and noise pollution are increasingly throwing marine ecosystems out of balance. The oceans are coming under growing geopolitical scrutiny and are becoming a zone of conflict: over resources, trade routes, and protective measures.
This event brings together scientific and political perspectives to shed light on the complex challenges of ocean protection. At its core is the question: how can we effectively protect marine biodiversity – locally, at a European level, and globally – and in doing so safeguard the foundations of our climate?
The following questions will also be discussed:
Why do oceans matter to us in Austria at all?
What political instruments and agreements exist – and where are their limits? What role do international treaties play in protecting the oceans?
How do climate change and pollution affect marine ecosystems? And what influence does the health of marine ecosystems have on climate change?
How can scientific knowledge be translated into concrete protective measures?
What structural changes are needed to protect the oceans? Are there levers for each individual to do something?
Key details
When: 16/06/2026, doors open 17:30, start: 18:00
Where: Upper Cupola Hall, Natural History Museum Vienna, Main Entrance – Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
Event language: German
