Positive environmental steps made in Manila

A United Nations-backed conference in the Philippines has made positive environmental steps for the world's oceans, with 65 countries agreeing to step-up efforts to protect marine life.

Delegates from around the world also agreed on the marine environment's central role in the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient green economy, according to a UN release. The Manila Declaration was signed on the final day of the conference.

The declaration was a reaffirmation of commitments to developing policies to reduce and control wastewater, marine litter and pollution from fertilisers. The use of pesticides and fertilisers has been a hot topic recently, with many experts warning of their environmental effect.

They can force a shift in habitat characteristics due to change in assemblage of aquatic plants, increase the production of toxins by certain algae and initiate the deoxygenation of water.

In this light, there was a big call for countries to develop guidance and policies on the sustainable use of nutrients to improve the efficiency of fertilisers such as nitrogen and phosphorous.

Posted by Claire Manning