Tides Are Changing

By  Ruqayyah Thompson, Research Officer.

International days are a powerful advocacy tool used to raise awareness on matters of public concern, garner political support and resources to address global problems as well as to celebrate humanity’s achievements. This month, we join with the global community to recognise World Oceans Day on June 8^th under the theme, “Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing”.

The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and forms 95% of the biosphere, the part of the Earth where life exists. It produces at least 50% of the world’s oxygen and is a main source of protein for over a billion people. The United Nations (UN) estimates that ocean-based industries account for 5% of global GDP and will employ around 40 million people by the year 2030. 

However, the World Ocean Assessment revealed that many areas of the ocean have been seriously degraded as a result of human activities such as pollution, poorly managed coastal development and resource extraction as well as unsustainable fishing. A reported 90% of big fish populations have been depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, while mangroves and seagrasses continue to decline with 19% and 21% of species found in these ecosystems identified as near-threatened. 

Despite our reliance on the ocean, only a small portion of it has been explored and in the past it has received limited attention and resources, but tides are changing. The United Nations (UN) has declared a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), which aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) – conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. The Ocean Decade is a unique opportunity to increase our understanding of the ocean’s life supporting processes and improve the science-policy interface to ensure ocean sustainability in the face of the triple planetary crisis.

The Ocean: The Nexus of the Triple Planetary Crisis

The triple planetary crisis refers to three (3) interconnected issues that humanity currently faces: climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. At the nexus of the triple planetary crisis is the ocean. 

The ocean is a key component of the Earth’s climate system. It regulates global climate by storing, moving and transferring heat, water and carbon dioxide (CO₂) – a primary greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change. It is estimated that more than 90% of excess heat is stored in the ocean, it is the largest store of carbon containing 50 times more carbon that the atmosphere, along with 40% of all CO₂ produced by human activity since the start of the industrial revolution.

The ocean therefore mitigates climate change through the uptake of CO₂ and storing of carbon in the form of biomass and sediments in tidal marshlands, mangroves and seagrasses known as ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems. Ocean ecosystems also provide climate change adaptation benefits as mangroves and coral reefs significantly reduce wind and wave energy associated with tropical storms and hurricanes, resulting in reduced loss of life and property as well as avoided economic losses.

Carbon dioxide is an atmospheric pollutant, one of many pollutants entering the ocean. Other pollutants include excessive inputs of nutrients which contribute to mass Sargassum blooms in the region; solid waste; anthropogenic noise as well as hazardous substances including plastics. In 2016, an estimated 12.2 million tonnes of plastics was entering the marine environment annually, and the World Economic Forum estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic by weight than fish in the ocean.

Plastics cause lethal and sub-lethal effects in marine life including whales, seals, turtles, birds and fish as well as bivalves, plankton, marine worms and corals. The effects of plastic pollution on marine life include entanglement, drowning, laceration of internal tissues, smothering and deprivation of oxygen and light as well as toxic effects. Furthermore, micro-plastics (<5mm) act as vectors for pathogenic organisms which are harmful to fish and aquaculture stocks, thereby posing a risk to human health arising from contaminated seafood.

In addition to pollution, other drivers of marine biodiversity loss include habitat destruction, invasive alien species, climate change and ocean acidification which affects marine species such as sea shells and corals. Many marine species are still to be discovered as the ocean is one of the main repositories of the world’s biodiversity. Marine biodiversity supports the functioning of the planet and provides goods and services that underpin the well-being of humanity, including food and medicines, coastal protection and socio-economic activities.

Securing a Healthy Ocean

While the ocean stores large quantities of pollutants, scientists believe that the storage capacity of the ocean may be exceeded, and as a result, the ocean is experiencing both physical and chemical changes at unprecedented rates. The capacity of the ocean must not be exceeded if we are to uphold the principle of intergenerational equity and ensure a healthy ocean for future generations.

The global community has united for the future sustainability of the ocean and is integrating ocean action across existing and new UN frameworks. The ocean no longer receives peripheral attention in global climate research and policy, as evidenced by explicit acknowledgement of the ocean in the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Further, the decision to host an annual ocean-climate dialogue included in the Glasgow Climate Pact in 2021, highlights the interest of governments in strengthening the understanding of and action on ocean and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

While the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed to in 2022, it was recognised that targets included would not be met without an agreement to protect marine biodiversity in international waters. After nearly two decades, an agreement to conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, commonly known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement was finalised in March 2023. Further, negotiations are underway for the world’s first global treaty on plastic pollution to reduce the flows of plastic into the ocean.

Recent global action for improving the state of the world’s ocean inspires hope that the tides are changing. Working together, the global community can reduce and redefine human impacts on the ocean and create a new balance that restores the ocean’s health. As we celebrate World Oceans Day, let us responsibly enjoy our coastal and marine resources which are quintessential to both human well-being and island life. 

Now You Know:

• The ocean produces at least 50% of the world’s oxygen.
• The ocean is a key component of the Earth’s climate system.
• Many areas of the ocean have been degraded because of human activities.
• Multilateral agreements are essential to conserve the ocean – a global common resource.
• World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on the 8^th of June.

Now You Know:

• The ocean produces at least 50% of the world’s oxygen.
• The ocean is a key component of the Earth’s climate system.
• Many areas of the ocean have been degraded because of human activities.
• Multilateral agreements are essential to conserve the ocean – a global common resource.
• World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on the 8^th of June.