See full version: Why do we need to protect the ocean
The world will be able to catch an additional 10 million metric tons of fish in 2050 if management stays as effective as it is today, says the report. But increasing catches without significantly improving management risks the health of predator species and could destabilize entire ecosystems.
With no changes to current production, consumption, or waste management of plastic, by 2040 almost 30 million metric tons of plastic will end up in the ocean per year. here
If we eliminated plastics from our lives, we’d save hundreds of marine species from entanglement and plastic ingestion. Plastic can also negatively impact our health – some of the compounds and chemicals found in plastic, such as BPA, have been found to alter hormones or have other potential human health effects. more
A healthy ocean regulates climate and reduce climate change impacts. The ocean also absorbs over 90% of the heat and approximately 30% of carbon dioxide emissions produced by human activities.
Industry experts expect that by 2050 we will be producing three times as much plastic as we do today; on a volume basis, the WEF sees that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans. Plastic pollution is however not alone as an increasing danger to the world’s seas.
If we continue to use it at the current rate, ocean plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. Sea birds, turtles, seals, and other marine life are all affected by plastic. They often experience starvation as their stomachs fill with litter or they become restricted by plastic.
At the same time, many nations are developing “blue economies” — expanding into the ocean not only to extract resources such as fish, minerals and oil and gas, but also for aquaculture, bioprospecting, offshore renewable energy and other economic opportunities. [links]
Oceans cover more than two-thirds of Earth’s surface. They are home to millions of species, provide a key source of protein to people on every continent and play an enormous role in regulating our planet’s climate, water cycle and more.
A marine industrial revolution (alternatively called an emerging blue economy) is welling up in our oceans and represents a dramatic shift in the way we do marine business. Historically we went to sea to fish. By 2050, we are poised to see massive expansions in marine industries such as seabed mining, underwater power plant construction (offshore wind, tidal energy) and oil/gas extraction. On land when we shifted from hunting animals to building our industries in their habitats, we saw a major spike in wildlife extinction. If we don’t carefully plan out marine industrialization, we may face a similar fate for ocean wildlife.
All of us need to do our part. We are all stewards of the ocean and the planet. We must continue to explore. We must continue to study the things we don’t yet understand and protect the resources we have for future generations.
Our planet is a complex dynamic system of interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, land surface, snow and ice, and all life on Earth. In that planetary clockworks, the ocean is a key cog. It drives heat, water and nutrients around the globe. It maintains essential ecosystems. In short, it makes our planet habitable. [links]
Our world ocean provides many benefits. Here are just a few examples. Want more? Browse through our pool of more than 300 ocean facts. With topics ranging from the ocean economy to microplastics to hydrography and even the depth of the ocean, there's sure to be a fact for everyone! Download this graphic and share it!
The world ocean provides so many benefits. Here are ten things the ocean does for humans and the planet: [links]
Phytoplankton, tiny marine plants that live on the ocean’s surface, photosynthesize and produce an estimated 50-80% of Earth’s oxygen.
The ocean provides a vast array of recreational opportunities, including diving, snorkeling, boating, fishing, swimming, and many others. Coastal and marine tourism account for a large proportion of global tourism, as people flock to the beauty of the seas. [links]
The ocean covers approximately 71% of the planet and contains over one billion cubic kilometers of water!