The Global Ocean Commission is an international initiative, which is dedicated to finding solutions to the challenges facing the high seas and presenting these to governments at the highest level. It is made up of former heads of state, business people and others with experience of serving the common good at the highest levels. The high seas make up 45% of the Earth's surface and is increasingly under pressure from threats such as overfishing, habitat and biodiversity loss, climate change and ocean acidification. In order to address these issues, the Pew Environment Group, Somerville College at the University of Oxford (where the secretariat of the Commission is based), Adessium Foundation and Oceans 5 have joined together to support the formation of an independent Global Ocean Commission The Commission launches next Tuesday 12th in London for an invited audiences of Ambassadors, NGO reps, scientists, religious leaders, Industry and many others.