World Ocean Day, celebrated annually on June 8th, serves as a reminder of the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth.
Initiated by the United Nations in 2008, this global event aims to raise awareness about the interconnectedness of ocean health with thriving communities, sustainable food systems, and climate stability.
However, the escalating threats to our oceans demand immediate action and a renewed commitment to their restoration.
The Oceans: A Vital Resource Under Threat
Oceans, which hold 97% of the planet’s water and reach an average depth of over two miles, play a crucial role in regulating the climate and absorbing a significant portion of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and excess heat.
Yet, climate change and human activities are causing the health of our oceans to deteriorate at an alarming rate. Rising ocean temperatures, pollution, overfishing, and water acidification are jeopardizing marine life, degrading ecosystems, and contributing to the formation of “dead zones.”
Sami Asad, a professor of sustainability and ecology at Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, emphasizes the importance of this year’s World Ocean Day themes. He explains that the themes of restoration and the need to catalyze action are critical responsibilities for global leaders.
“Worryingly, an estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic litter end up in the environment every year, with this volume expected to increase significantly by 2040. To combat this, it’s crucial that organizations invest in science-based sustainability and capitalize on sustainable innovations.”
Prof. Sami Asad
Blue Food Systems and Sustainable Fishing
Blue food systems, which rely on aquaculture, are essential for the livelihoods of over 800 million people worldwide. However, these systems face substantial risks from climate change and environmental degradation.
Additionally, the lack of transparency in global industrial fishing practices raises concerns about sustainability and accountability.
To address these challenges, it’s crucial to support organizations promoting sustainable fishing practices and hold companies and food producers accountable for their impact on marine ecosystems.
Organizations Leading the Charge for Ocean Conservation
Numerous organizations are dedicated to protecting our oceans. The Coral Reef Alliance employs innovative technology and conservation techniques to safeguard these delicate ecosystems.
The Surfrider Foundation and The Ocean Conservancy tackle a wide range of ocean challenges, while the Plastic Pollution Coalition strives to eliminate toxic plastic waste.
Protecting the High Seas: A Global Responsibility
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights the importance of protecting the high seas, which lie beyond national jurisdiction and represent some of the least known and least protected areas on Earth.
These vast expanses of ocean provide essential ecosystem services but are increasingly threatened by human activities. International cooperation and a unified effort are crucial to safeguarding these vital waters and ensuring the health and resilience of the entire ocean.
A Call to Action
As we celebrate World Ocean Day 2024, we must heed the call to action and embrace the theme of restoration. This requires global leaders, organizations, and individuals to work together to protect and restore our oceans, ensuring a sustainable future for both marine life and human communities.
High Seas Biodiversity Treaty: A Milestone for Ocean Conservation
In June 2023, the United Nations adopted a landmark treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the high seas biodiversity treaty.
This treaty represents a significant step towards better regulation of the high seas, covering almost half of the planet’s surface.
The IUCN’s Call for Action
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) urges world leaders to prioritize the full implementation of the high seas biodiversity treaty.
They emphasize the importance of supporting all signing nations in the ratification process to bring the treaty into force.
Additionally, the IUCN calls for increased ratification of the global agreement on unsustainable fisheries practices and subsidies to prevent overexploitation of fish stocks. They also advocate for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, highlighting the need for comprehensive protection and restoration of marine life.
Blue Energy: A Promising Renewable Option
Ocean energy, encompassing the energy of moving seawater from tides, currents, and waves, presents a vast and untapped renewable resource.
However, harnessing this energy requires technological advancements to convert it into usable electricity. Blue energy, also known as ocean energy, encompasses various technologies that harvest renewable energy from the oceans.
These technologies include:
- Wave energy: Utilizing wave height, speed, length, and water density.
- Tidal stream energy: Generated from the flow of water in narrow channels.
- Tidal range technologies: Exploiting the difference in surface height in a dammed estuary or bay.
- Ocean thermal energy conversion: Utilizing temperature differences between surface and subsurface water.
- Salinity gradient power: Relying on the difference in salinity between salt and freshwater.
Research and Development for Ocean Energy
Due to the high costs associated with real-world experiments, computer simulations are often the most efficient approach to studying ocean energy.
Collaborations between research centers, like the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) and the Center for Ocean Atmosphere Prediction Studies (COAPS) at Florida State University, are crucial for advancing our understanding of ocean energy potential and its impact on the environment.
2025 UN Ocean Conference: A Platform for Progress
The 2025 UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, will focus on supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
The conference will provide a platform for discussing and implementing solutions to the challenges facing our oceans, including the integration of technology for enhanced ocean sustainability.
World Ocean Day serves as a reminder of the critical importance of our oceans and the need for urgent action to protect them.
It is an opportunity for individuals and organizations worldwide to learn, engage, and become advocates for ocean conservation. By working together, we can ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for our blue planet.