### The big tide: a festival to be reborn the ocean
In Paris, in the heart of the rich French maritime heritage, the first edition of the “La Grande Marée” festival is held at the National Museum of the Navy. The subject of the ocean, often relegated to the background in environmental discussions, takes a central place here. This free meeting is part of a broader movement to raise awareness of maritime issues, by bringing together for the first time a hundred experts from all walks of life. This is a unique opportunity to take a critical look at our relationship with the ocean and to explore how innovative solutions can contribute to its preservation.
#### An alarming inventory
Before seeing the contributions of the festival even, it is essential to become aware of the challenges that the ocean faces. According to the World Health Organization, almost 75 % of maritime resources are currently operated at unsustainable levels. The oceans absorb a significant part of our carbon dioxide, but this vital function results in acidification, thus threatening marine biodiversity. In addition, plastic waste, increasing sea level and overfishing exacerbates the degradation of marine ecosystems.
In this context, highlighting possible solutions is crucial. Bertrand Piccard, founding president of Solar Impulse, embodies this duality between risks and innovations. Its presence at the festival highlights the importance of sustainable engineering and green technologies to create a less polluting economic model. It has traveled the world aboard an airplane operating solely for solar energy, proving as well as a sustainable future is not only possible but necessary.
#### The diversity of stakeholders: a collective force
The “La Grande Marée” festival is distinguished by its participative format, bringing together scientists, artists, entrepreneurs and committed citizens. This heterogeneous mixture of skills makes it possible to meet often opposite visions: researchers in marine biology to the creators of ecological start-ups, each intervention is a stone with the building of a constructive dialogue.
The enrichment of ideas is reinforced by interactive workshops and debates. For example, discussion around the involvement of art in awareness of the environment illustrates how the cultural sector can play a key role. The emotional connection offered by a work of art can often arouse deeper reflections on complex questions, such as marine pollution, bringing me to question the impact that the film “Wall-e” could have on a young audience.
### towards a collective awareness
In addition to inspiring interventions, the free and accessible aspect of this festival is fundamental. The inclusiveness makes it possible to reach a large and diversified range of participants, which is imperative to federate energies around a common objective. To bring out a true culture of environmental responsibility, it is crucial to give voice to all strata of society.
Environmental education, often neglected in curriculums, could take advantage of this type of initiatives. By integrating practical lessons on maritime issues from an early age, we could prepare a more aware generation of the challenges linked to the ocean. Experiences like “the big tide” must thus serve as a model for other events, integrating educational activities in cultural festival programs.
#### A future to imagine together
The success of “La Grande Marée” lies in its ability to combine scientific expertise, artistic sensitivity and popular commitment. By observing the enthusiasm aroused during this event, an idea germinated: why not consider a network of similar festivals, on a national or international scale, bringing together diversive actors around environmental issues?
While we are facing the climate crisis, it is imperative to unite our forces to reimagine our relationship with the ocean, isn’t that the call that Bertrand Piccard is launching and so many others? By connecting the intellect to emotion, the “La Grande Marée” festival makes it possible to lay the foundations for a collective commitment for the safeguard of one of the greatest treasures of our planet. The ocean, like a mirror of our humanity, awaits our reflection.