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The ocean is a vital part of our planet, providing many important services for humanity and the natural world. The ocean regulates our climate, provides us with food and resources, and is a place of recreation and beauty. Despite its importance, the ocean is under threat from a range of human activities.
Overfishing, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction are all putting pressure on the ocean. If we want to protect this vital resource, we need to take action.
Here are some things we can do to protect the ocean:
1. Reduce our demand for seafood
The global demand for seafood is increasing, putting pressure on fish stocks. One way to reduce this pressure is to simply eat less seafood. Try to eat sustainable seafood that has been caught or farmed in an environmentally friendly way. When buying seafood, look for the blue Marine Stewardship Council label, which indicates that the fish has been sourced sustainably.
2. Reduce our plastic use
Plastic pollution is a major problem for the ocean. Every year, around 8 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean, where it does serious damage to marine life. turtles, fish, dolphins, and seabirds can all be harmed by ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic.
We can all help reduce plastic pollution by reducing our use of single-use plastics such as straws, water bottles, and plastic bags. Choose reusable alternatives where possible, and recycle any plastic you do use.
3. Support renewable energy
Climate change is a major threat to the ocean. As the Earth’s temperatures rise, the ocean absorbs more heat and carbon dioxide, becoming more acidic. This harms marine life and coral reefs, and can lead to sea level rise as ice melts.
We can help combat climate change by switching to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. This will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and help to slow down climate change.
4. Protect habitats
Habitat destruction is a major threat to the ocean. As we build roads, houses, and farms on land, we destroy natural habitats such as forests and wetlands. This has a knock-on effect on wildlife in the ocean as well, as many animals rely on these habitats for food and shelter.
We can help protect habitats by supporting conservation efforts and choosing sustainable products that don’t damage the environment. For example, choose wood that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, or paper that comes from sustainably managed forests.
5. Say no to single-use products
As well as reducing our plastic use, we can also help protect the ocean by saying no to other single-use products such as coffee cups and disposable razors. These items often end up in landfill where they can take years to break down. Alternatively, they may be incinerated, releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
Choose reusable alternatives instead of disposable items wherever possible. For example, carry a reusable coffee cup with you for your daily coffee fix, or invest in a reusable razor that will last for years.
Different Organizations for Protecting Oceans and Seas
The world’s oceans and seas are under increasing pressure from human activity. Overfishing, pollution, climate change and ocean acidification are just some of the challenges our oceans face. Fortunately, there are many organizations working to protect our oceans and seas. Here are just a few of them:
The World Wildlife Fund is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. They work to protect endangered species and habitats, including those in the ocean. The WWF is also working to stop overfishing and promote sustainable fishing practices.
The Ocean Conservancy is another leading ocean conservation organization. They work to protect the ocean from pollution and to promote sustainable ocean management. The Ocean Conservancy also runs the International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest volunteer effort to clean up trash from the ocean and coastlines.
Greenpeace is a global environmental organization that works to protect the environment, including the oceans. Greenpeace has played a leading role in campaigns to stop overfishing, protect endangered species such as whales and dolphins, and to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.
The Save Our Seas Foundation is a charity that funds scientific research and conservation projects to protect the world’s oceans. The foundation also runs education and awareness-raising campaigns to engage the public in ocean conservation.
Oceana is the largest international ocean conservation organization. They work to stop overfishing, protect marine habitats and reduce pollution in the oceans. Oceana also advocates for strong policies and regulations to safeguard the oceans.
These are just a few of the many organizations working to protect our oceans and seas. With their help, we can make sure that these vital ecosystems are healthy and thriving for generations to come.
Different Laws to Protect Our Ocean and Seas
The world’s oceans and seas are under immense pressure from human activity. Overfishing, pollution, climate change and ocean acidification are just some of the ways we are impacting the marine environment.
Thankfully, there are a number of laws and treaties in place to help protect our oceans and seas. Here are just a few:
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
UNCLOS is an important treaty that sets out the rules for how nations should use and protect the world’s oceans and seas. It came into force in 1994 and has since been ratified by 168 countries.
The Convention covers a range of issues, including the delimitation of maritime boundaries, the conservation and management of living marine resources, environmental protection, and the settlement of disputes.
The Convention is a ‘constitution for the oceans’ and provides a comprehensive legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must take place.
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
MARPOL is a treaty that aims to prevent pollution of the marine environment from ships. It was first adopted in 1973 and has since been amended several times.
The Convention covers a range of pollutants, including oil, chemicals, sewage, garbage and air pollution. It requires ships to use cleaner fuels and prohibits the discharge of certain pollutants into the sea.
MARPOL is widely considered to be one of the most successful environmental treaties ever negotiated. It has been ratified by 168 countries and is compulsory for all ships flying a flag of a ratifying state.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.
The Protocol was first adopted in 1987 and has since been amended several times. It currently requires the phasedown of production and consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances.
The Protocol has been widely successful in reducing atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting substances. It has been ratified by 197 countries and is one of the most successful environmental treaties ever negotiated.
The International Whaling Commission (IWC)
The IWC is an international organisation that regulates commercial whaling. It was established in 1946 with the objective of ‘providing for the proper conservation of whale stocks’.
The IWC has a moratorium on commercial whaling that has been in place since 1986. The moratorium does not apply to aboriginal subsistence whaling or scientific research whaling.
Since the moratorium was introduced, there has been a significant reduction in whale hunting around the world. The IWC now has 88 member countries.
