June 8 is World Ocean Day, but June is widely considered a month of global ocean awareness. The ocean, covering over 70% of our planet's surface, is a majestic and vital component of Earth's ecosystem. It provides us with more than half of the oxygen we breathe, regulates our climate, and supports an incredible diversity of life. Yet, despite its importance, the ocean is facing unprecedented threats due to human activities.
Raising ocean awareness is crucial to ensure its health and sustainability for future generations.
Validating the need to focus on the ocean's health, in 2017, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed the decade, from 2021 to 2030, as the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, also known as the "Ocean Decade."
This global initiative aims to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the ocean system. In short, the UNGA's vision statement is "the science we need for the ocean we want."
The Importance of Ocean Health
The ocean acts as a critical buffer against climate change, absorbing about a quarter of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities like burning coal, oil, and gas. According to the Smithsonian's Ocean Portal, "Since the beginning of the industrial era, the ocean has absorbed some 525 billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, presently around 22 million tons per day." This has led to the acidification of the ocean.
The ocean is also home to a vast array of species, discovered and undiscovered. They depend on cleanliness and health to remain intact.
Being the massive, sprawling entity it is, and having such vast resources, the global ocean provides livelihoods for millions of people. Coastal communities are especially dependent on marine resources for food and employment. The ocean's health is directly linked to the health and welfare of people and the planet.
So, to defeat a problem, we must know what it is. Here are three of the biggest offenders to the ocean's health.
- Pollution: Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste and microplastic debris end up in the ocean, harming marine life and ecosystems. Chemical pollutants, oil spills, and untreated sewage further degrade water quality, posing additional risks to wildlife and human health.
- Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices have led to the depletion of fish stocks, threatening the balance of marine ecosystems and the survival of species that rely on them. Sir David Attenborough's documentary entitled Ocean features heartbreaking footage of bottom trawling, a destructive practice of fishing where large, weighted nets are dragged across the ocean floor.
- Climate Change: Rising global temperatures are causing ocean acidification, coral bleaching, and sea level rise, disrupting marine habitats and the communities that depend on them.
Taking Action
Awareness is the first step toward action. Educating ourselves and others about the importance of the ocean and the threats it faces can inspire change. Planet Aid makes a difference with our textile collection program, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting usable textiles away from the waste stream.
Simple actions, such as reducing plastic use, supporting sustainable seafood, and advocating for protective policies for marine environments, can also make a significant impact. By fostering a deeper connection with the ocean, we can work together to preserve its beauty and resources for generations. Let's turn awareness into action and protect our blue planet.
Want to know about the ocean? Your local aquarium is an excellent ambassador to discover more about the earth's vital and mysterious frontier. Watch this video of Megan Anderson, Vice President of Learning and Engagement at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, to learn about some of the creatures most affected by damaging environmental disruption.