6. The Role of Civil Society

March 24th, 2020

Denis Robin, Secretary General of the Sea, stepped in at the last minute to replace the minister in opening the symposium. He acknowledges being beyond the reach of researchers' indulgence but seeks their understanding. The government, in its distress this winter, noted the strong interest of citizens in maritime and coastal issues. During the grand debate, 350,000 fellow citizens expressed concerns about pollution, coastal management, and biodiversity loss. This concern extends to the entire French population, well beyond the coastline. Faced with this worry, a plea against fear is introduced in the discourse, widely echoed later. "Fear often leads to inaction." Society is well aware of the problem, but "we need to convince the French of the utility of what we do." This implies the establishment of trust in the short-term effectiveness of research.

Businesses in need of stability have understood that the emerging holistic understanding of the world requires "agility" and commitments in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In 2019, the maritime cluster consulted its business leaders to identify the main challenges anticipated for the coming years. Three fundamental issues stand out:

1. Environment: Restoration and non-degradation are the main challenges of the blue economy.

2. Lack of qualified labor: Training for maritime professions is neglected.

3. Multiplication of natural and climatic disturbances, particularly impacting the coastline.

Companies realize that their survival depends more on the very purpose of their activity than on their growth rate.

France has research tools and a significant oceanographic fleet that allow a significant increase in our knowledge of the oceans. Society as a whole expects certainty from research. However, in research, results are not provided without uncertainty. This should not prevent us from taking into account scientific results when they converge towards the same findings. Recently, it is observed that when society takes ownership of a scientific question, it influences decisions. Therefore, it is vital for marine biodiversity that civil society embraces the thirst for knowledge demonstrated by research.

Beyond its primary goal of giving humans a better understanding of the world, research raises questions for the first time. It can lead to unexpected results that may overturn our thought patterns. Research allows us not to have certainties but to anticipate the consequences of our actions. France has the privilege of being present in all the oceans of the globe. Its voice matters on maritime issues. It is up to us to make this voice heard.