As World Ocean Day draws closer, experts are sounding the alarm about unprecedented levels of pollution of “the Earth’s lungs” and damage to one of the planet’s most important aids in fighting climate change. This year, World Oceans Day will be celebrated on the 7th of June under the theme “Awaken New Depths” which once again will focus attention on the importance of marine ecosystems and of finding solutions to emerging environmental issues.
The oceans, covering around 70% of the Earth’s surface, serve as a vital life source that sustains humanity and all other living organisms on the planet. Over half of the oxygen on Earth is produced by global marine waters, and at the same time around 25% of non-renewable industry pollution is absorbed by the ocean as well. This means the ocean not only functions as the lungs of our planet but also serves as the planet’s largest carbon sponge, helping humanity to fight climate change. It also regulates the temperature on the land’s surface, absorbing 90% of excess heat. Therefore, a healthy ocean means a healthy environment, animals, and humans.
The oceans also contain the largest part of the world’s biodiversity and provide protein to over one billion people globally. Over 15% of animal protein comes from marine sources, making it a primary food source in least-developed countries. It also plays a crucial economic role, as around over 3 billion of the world’s over 8 billion people make their living from the oceans. Fisheries alone generate 57 million jobs globally. The blue economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors and plays an essential role in many countries. About 80% of the tourism industry is coastal-related and grows by about US$134 billion annually.
However, despite the environmental, social, and economic importance, the state of the oceans has deteriorated significantly over the last few decades. Humans exploit ocean resources unsustainably, destroying marine ecosystems and damaging life underwater. People take more than the ocean can supply and, as a result of human activities, around half of the coral reefs have already been damaged globally while over 90% of the population of large fish has been depleted. It is estimated that due to the damage to coral reefs, the tourism industry is losing around US$12 billion yearly.
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Humans pollute marine waters at unprecedented levels, as approximately 19 to 23 million tons of plastic end up in the water every year, and this number is forecasted to treble by 2040. So far, as a result of human activities, around 75 to 199 million tons of plastic have accumulated in marine ecosystems. The cost of plastic pollution has reached US$13 billion.
While the oceans feed billions around the world, aquatic food loss and waste are another issue that damages the marine waters of the planet. Total edible aquatic food loss and waste was 23.8 million tons, which is equivalent to 14.8% of global edible aquatic foods. And as people globally will rely more on seafood over time, the issues related to food loss and waste are becoming even more urgent and significant. The oceans are home to life for many species and a source of life on land. Therefore, people should make every effort to preserve the water on the planet in order to have air to breathe, food to eat, and a meaning for life in general.
The United Nations General Assembly recognized the 8th of June as World Oceans Day in 2008 and, since then, each year the international community, experts, and governments gather on that day to discuss the emerging environmental, social, and economic problems related to marine issues.
