In recent weeks we have become painfully aware of how interconnected the world is economically, as well as how short-sightedness and lack of sensible regulation can threaten our livelihoods. It is therefore a good time to remind ourselves that because we are infinitely more interconnected and dependent on our global ecosystem, the costs of poor ecological management could be far more life- threatening.

The president's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) met in Hawaii this week to consider declaring the islands of Palmyra, Kingman, Johnston, Jarvis, Wake, Howland and Baker, Rose Atoll in American Samoa and a portion of the Northern Marianas to be fully protected marine monuments.

According to respected marine biologist Jeremy B.C. Jackson, the remote Central Pacific is the only place in the world where live coral cover still averages 50 percent or more over large areas of reef. In addition, large migratory fish, endangered green and hawksbill turtles, whales, other marine mammals, hundreds of unique fish and invertebrate species, and an estimated 14 million seabirds all depend on the Central Pacific islands for their survival. The Northern Marianas area is home to some of the world's rarest beaked whales and at least 19 other marine mammals. And Kingman Reef is considered the most pristine coral reef on Earth, with the highest proportion of large ocean predators in the world.

However, these potential marine monuments are scientifically important not just for their biological diversity but also for their geographic features. The Northern Marianas area is home to some of the planet's most remarkable geology—including liquid carbon dioxide that bubbles up through fractured lava, and one of only two boiling pools of liquid sulphur in the solar system. The Northern Mariana area is also home to the Mariana Trench—the deepest point on the planet, and large enough to swallow Mount Everest with room to spare.

These places are in our ocean neighborhood. As we become more aware of our limited resources and the need for good management practices at home, we also become aware of the need to collaborate with our neighbors to develop good stewardship and conservation of our shared ocean so we can meet the challenges of environmental problems ranging effects of climate change, such as coral bleaching, ocean acidification and rising sea levels; to marine pollution, invasive species, species extinction, disease, excessive fishing and other harmful extractive industries.

Establishing these protected areas is protecting the wealth upon which our ocean depends for ecological balance and security. We are in the early stage of re-learning how to coexist with other life and reverse the degradation of our planet. Our success in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2006 and Gov. Togiola Tulafono's recent efforts to protect the uninhabited Rose Atoll in American Samoa should be seen as new models of political leadership and ecological development for the future. If more government officials, including President Bush, embrace this attempt to preserve our natural wealth through prudent regulation, we might be able to avoid a global marine crisis that will make our recent economic crisis pale by comparison. Please join us in supporting the establishment of fully protected ocean areas in the Northern Marianas, American Samoa and Central Pacific Islands.

Letters to the CEQ from the public are due by Oct. 26 (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).