When talking about economic development in Brazil, the debate revolves around commodities, trade or even finance. The ocean rarely comes up in conversation. The so-called blue economy, which brings together fishing, tourism, offshore energy, maritime transport, marine biotechnology and port infrastructure, already generates US$2.6 trillion per year on the global market (R$13.3 trillion at current prices). Projections indicate that this volume could double by 2050. With 443 coastal cities representing 27% of the national territory, Brazil is one of the best positioned countries to address this issue. In practice, however, the ocean is still not treated as a great sustainable economic potential. For Renato Regazzi, professor at Insper, advisor to ABEEMAR and executive manager of Sescoop-RJ, the main obstacle lies in the way Brazil sees the blue economy. "The biggest obstacle is ocean literacy, which is the lack of understanding among the population and, mainly, decision makers about the potential of the sea for Brazil's prosperity. We need to understand that the sea is not just a resource, it is a set of sectors involving fishing, tourism, ports, energy, biotechnology", he explains. Renato Regazzi, professor at Insper, advisor to ABEEMAR and executive manager of Sescoop-RJ. Disclosure/Personal Archive. Unvisible potential Before talking about the economy, it is worth understanding the scale of what is at stake. The oceans absorb more than 90% of the excess heat generated by global warming. They are, therefore, a fundamental part of climate regulation around the world. At the same time, from an economic point of view, the maritime sector handles around 80% of all world trade, and accounts for only 2% to 3% of global emissions. Not surprisingly, the United Nations (UN) decreed the Decade of the Oceans (2021-2030), placing the sea at the center of global discussions. The initiative seeks to reverse the decline in the health of the seas and unite governments, scientists and society in favor of conservation and sustainable use. The problem, according to Regazzi, is the lack of public policies aimed at taking advantage of what the sea has to offer. He argues that instead of developing the port, tourism and fishing as if they were separate subjects, integrate all of this into the city's dynamics. And basic sanitation is part of this too. "If you destroy water, you destroy tourism and impact health," he says. Two tools that are already being put into practice: Blue Seal for Coastal Cities: certification that recognizes municipalities that invest in environmental protection, blue economy and quality of life for coastal communities. Macaé and Niterói have already adopted the model. Blue Economy Index: classifies the 443 coastal cities based on sanitation data and socio-environmental indicators. What Brazil can replicate In the country itself, Rio de Janeiro serves as a reference. The Secretariat of Energy and Marine Economy and the Secretariat of the Environment work to develop technologies to preserve marine ecosystems, an area known as Blue Tech. Paraná has already gone further and approved a state law on the subject. The movement is also advancing in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Ceará and Bahia. Amapá, Maranhão and Rio Grande do Norte have already taken the first steps. Out there, three countries serve as inspiration. France stands out for its shipping industry and maritime clusters. Portugal has a blue economy hub and has created a "blue schools" curriculum standard. And Barcelona, ??in Spain, is a reference as a smart and integrated coastal city. For Regazzi, this movement must start in schools. “It is necessary to create attractiveness for young people and value local cultural assets, allowing the population that is already there to develop unique products with high added value”, he highlights. This debate will deepen on November 25th and 26th at Tomorrow.Blue Economy Niterói, the largest blue economy event in the Americas, focusing on building the sector's regulatory agenda in Brazil. To participate in the construction of this dialogue, guarantee your ticket here.