Swimsuit Innovation & World Oceans Day
For DuPont, Neal Marshad photographed and directed "In the Beginning, God Created the Swimsuit", a comprehensive television documentary around the history of the swimsuit.
Considered the definitive film on swimwear history, "In the Beginning" was seen on MTV and later won a Gold Award at the International Film and TV Festival of New York, and is viewable here on YouTube where the creator and owner of the copyright in the work has uploaded the movie and enabled it to be embedded here.
Obviously, there's a connection between the invention of the swimsuit, the innovations in materials, design, and technology shown in this documentary, and the topics regularly discussed here on Securing Innovation -- managing intellectual property, patents, trademarks and trade secrets. That's clear. But we're posting this film about the history of the swimsuit today for another good reason that should have everyone's attention.
In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that, as from 2009, 8 June would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day”. Many countries have celebrated World Oceans Day following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, which was held in Rio de Janerio in 1992.
The oceans are essential to food security and the health and survival of all life, power our climate and are a critical part of the biosphere. The official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.
The theme of the inaugural observance of the World Oceans Day by the United Nations in 2009 is “Our Oceans, Our Responsibility”. Here's an excerpt from the Secretary General's message, today.
The first observance of World Oceans Day allows us to highlight the many ways in which oceans contribute to society. It is also an opportunity to recognize the considerable challenges we face in maintaining their capacity to regulate the global climate, supply essential ecosystem services and provide sustainable livelihoods and safe recreation.
Indeed, human activities are taking a terrible toll on the world’s oceans and seas. Vulnerable marine ecosystems, such as corals, and important fisheries are being damaged by over-exploitation, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, destructive fishing practices, invasive alien species and marine pollution, especially from land-based sources. Increased sea temperatures, sea-level rise and ocean acidification caused by climate change pose a further threat to marine life, coastal and island communities and national economies.
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The theme of World Oceans Day, “Our oceans, our responsibility”, emphasizes our individual and collective duty to protect the marine environment and carefully manage its resources. Safe, healthy and productive seas and oceans are integral to human well-being, economic security and sustainable development.
Please take care of our oceans, without which the swimsuit might be extinct.
