The 14th SDG goal, also known as "Life Below Water," aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. The world's oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface, and they play a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate, providing food and livelihoods for millions of people, and supporting biodiversity. However, human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change have put tremendous pressure on marine ecosystems, threatening the health and resilience of the world's oceans.
Statistics
1. Fisheries and Aquaculture: Fisheries and aquaculture provide a critical source of food and livelihood for millions of people worldwide. However, overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and destructive fishing practices have put many fish stocks at risk of collapse. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in 2018, 34.2% of the world's fish stocks were overfished, and another 60.3% were fished at maximum sustainable levels. In addition, IUU fishing accounts for up to 26 million tonnes of fish caught annually, which is worth an estimated $23 billion.
2. Marine Pollution: Marine pollution, including plastic pollution, oil spills, and nutrient pollution, is a significant threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity. It is estimated that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the world's oceans, with an additional 8 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year. This plastic pollution has a devastating impact on marine wildlife, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million seabirds dying each year from plastic pollution. In addition, nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater discharges has led to the proliferation of harmful algal blooms, which can cause fish kills and threaten human health.
3. Ocean Acidification: The oceans absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, which is causing the oceans to become more acidic. Ocean acidification can have a significant impact on marine ecosystems, particularly on shell-forming organisms such as corals, oysters, and clams. It is estimated that the oceans have become 26% more acidic since the start of the Industrial Revolution, and they are expected to become 100-150% more acidic by the end of this century if carbon dioxide emissions are not significantly reduced.
4. Marine Protected Areas: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an essential tool for conserving marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries. However, only 7.5% of the world's oceans are currently protected in MPAs, and many of these areas are not effectively managed or enforced.
Sources
United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 14. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2020). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020. http://www.fao.org/3/ca9229en/CA9229EN.pdf
United Nations Environment Programme. (2016). Marine Plastic Debris and Microplastics: Global Lessons and Research to Inspire Action and Guide Policy Change. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/marine-plastic-debris-and-microplastics-global-lessons-and-research-inspire-action
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2019). Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/
Author: Hello, my name is Hari Vandana Konda and I am an IT and cloud sustainability enthusiast with a passion for maximizing the impact of technology in our world. I am a certified professional in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle. In addition, I am also a certified FinOps Practitioner which has given me a unique perspective on managing cloud costs and optimizing the overall financial health of organizations. My expertise in these cloud platforms, combined with my passion for sustainability, makes me an ideal author for discussions surrounding the intersection of technology and the environment.
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