The Future of Blue Economy: Lessons for European Union

Advancing global economic integration through the oceans, an interplay of economic, social, climatologic and technical forces are bringing the oceans to the forefront of resource development and business activity. With oceans covering over 70 percent of the Earth's surface, the future of the ocean space is increasingly being shaped by the interaction of numerous and powerful forces, most important of them being human activities. Over next 20 years, increasing uncertainty will be generated by the confluence of rapid social, cultural, technological and geopolitical changes. The rapid global increase in the production outputs of industry, agriculture and fisheries, as well as rising levels of consumption of marine products and the demand for coastal space worldwide is exerting increasing environmental pressure on the ocean. There is a need to identify more effective means to reduce the environmental impacts generated by the economic growth and its by-products. Sustainable approaches meet the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. The Blue Economy concept is about the commercial development of oceans in a sustainable way. Poland's future economic security is linked with country's presence in the world ocean and successful membership in international bodies such as European Union, NATO and various United Nations maritime organizations. These factors will also determine Poland's place and its role in the global ocean economy.