This World Ocean Day, Be The Waves Of Change
e have all seen them. Images of plastic waste on beaches, thousands of turtles, whales, dolphins and sharks found dead and entangled in fishnets. Humans have not explored several parts of the world’s oceans; however, our actions have managed to pollute even the deepest waters.
The average temperature at the ocean’s surface has been at 21.1 degrees Celsius since the beginning of April 2023, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). World’s oceans are polluted by a “plastic smog” made up of nearly 170 trillion plastic particles that have been discarded by humans. If present trends continue, by 2050, plastic is expected to outweigh fish in the sea.
Scientists from across the world have found damning evidence to prove that humans are not just interfering with marine ecosystem but also destroying it mercilessly. There has been a “rapid and unprecedented” increase in ocean plastic pollution since 2005. A recent report by the 5 Gyres Institute, a US-based organization, has predicted that marine plastic pollution could rise 2.6-fold by 2040.
Plastic pollution is not just an environmental problem, it is also a huge climate disaster. Once plastic gets into the oceans, it takes between 500-1000 years to degrade. The most common ingredients for plastics are fossil fuels that produce planet-heating gasses throughout their lifetime – from production to disposal.
The United Nations (UN) has agreed to create a legally binding global plastics treaty by 2024, which would address the whole life of plastic from production to disposal. But how effective can such lofty promises be, at a time when plastic manufacturing is expected to quadruple by 2050?
Numerous reports have become headlines and escaped our memories, but every time, we wait for a new report to remind ourselves of the disaster.
Plastic pollution is not the only villain here. Human actions leading to noise and chemical pollution are also affecting marine mammals’ ability to navigate, communicate and detect danger in oceans. There is oil and gas exploration, military drills, shipping traffic, deep sea mining and so much more that is making the marine environment noisier and more polluted.
World’s oceans have become a crime scene. As we try to assess the damage in numbers, the violence and suffering remain unaccounted for. While we, humans, are the real culprits, we are also the only species that can change the world for the better. As governments, institutions, and communities all over the world begin to understand the gravity of the problem, they also begin to see the opportunities in this industry.
Oceans cover 70% of our earth’s surface. They play a major role in the global climate — from providing oxygen and driving weather systems to storing about a quarter of the planet-heating carbon dioxide. It makes this planet habitable.
There is a whole economic ecosystem around the oceans, known as the “blue economy” which thrives on tourism, water sports, seafood, and other related activities. This market is expected to reach $3 trillion by 2030. Over the past decade, millions of dollars have been invested in ocean cleanup initiatives. After all, blue is the new green.
Several startups and communities are gearing up to clean up oceans and help local communities. Some are collecting abandoned fishing nets and turning them into beautiful products, while others are collecting discarded plastic items and turning them into beautiful objects and artwork. Brilliant new technologies are also finding innovative ways to clean up oceans using animal-like robots that can detect and swallow up toxic plastic waste.
The United Nations believes that a global “Blue Deal” could fetch more investment into sustainable sectors. For example, the global market for seaweed has tripled in two decades, increasing from $4.5 billion in 2000 to $16.5 billion in 2020. The market for plastic substitutes is also likely to grow tremendously.
The only way to protect and preserve Earth’s elements is awareness. As you learn about the crisis that the planet is facing, you certainly want to help ensure its safety. You educate and inspire others also to join you. This World Ocean Day, take a pledge to know your oceans better and protect them. For decades, humans have been accused of destroying the oceans, but we also have a chance to change the course — and we must.
