Jason Momoa named UN advocate for life below water

Jason Momoa hands the Nature Baton to a representative of the Youth & Innovation Forum. Image: Mainei Kinimaka

Movie star and ocean activist Jason Momoa has been designated Advocate for Life Below Water by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Aquaman actor, who has worked with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and rePurpose Global, described how humbled he felt to be entrusted with the responsibility to promote ocean health.

“With this designation, I hope to continue my own journey to protect and conserve the ocean and all living things on our beautiful blue planet, for our generation and the generations to come,” he said.

"The ocean is an ancient teacher, a guide and a muse."

Jason Momoa, actor

The native Hawaiian with Polynesian roots has long championed the rights of people of island nations. He described how growing up on one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos ingrained in him a reverence for the ocean and nature that has only deepened over the years.

“For me, the ocean is an ancient teacher, a guide and a muse. It is also existential. Without a healthy ocean, life on our planet as we know it would not exist,” he said.

Aquaman actor Jason Momoa travels by boat to the Youth & Innovation Forum. Image: Mainei Kinimaka

The announcement was made at a major conference mobilising global support for the oceans, which face the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya in Lisbon, and was attended by thousands of ocean advocates from business, civil society and government.

The organisers say it will advance progress on science-based solutions to ensure better management and conservation of the ocean and its resources.

Momoa, who is the star of Aquaman and the upcoming sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, made remarks ahead of the Youth and Innovation Forum, where he arrived on a boat to receive the Nature Baton from the UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson. The actor then handed the baton to youth representatives.

"Jason has a strong track record of advocating for ocean issues, from reducing single-use plastic pollution to protecting coral reefs.”

Inger Andersen, UNEP

“We are so pleased to have Jason Momoa joining the UN family as UNEP’s Advocate for Life Below Water. Jason has a strong track record of advocating for ocean issues, from reducing single-use plastic pollution to protecting coral reefs,” said UNEP executive director Inger Andersen.

“In 2021, the 4 primary measures of climate change – greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean temperatures and ocean acidification – all hit record highs. This means the time for action is now.

Youth representatives welcome Jason Momoa. Image: Mainei Kinimaka

"With a huge audience of engaged fans, we believe that Jason can move ocean considerations into the hearts and minds of citizens and business leaders to promote this urgency and action,” she added.

Early commitments from the conference include pledges from the US and European Commission to join UNEP’s Clean Seas Campaign, bolstering what is already the biggest campaign devoted to ending marine litter and plastic pollution in the world. They join newcomers Tanzania, Uganda, Cabo Verde, Rwanda and Portugal in an initiative that now represents 75% of the world's coastline.