According to the WWF report, if the oceans were a country, they would be the seventh largest economy in the world. It is a pity that, unlike others, their fate is so unreliable. The drought of recent months, the floods in Austria, the recent tragedy on the Marmolada glacier – to name but a few of the recent climatic events – are a prime example of how human activities are increasingly affecting the environment at any latitude. and in any environment.
In the case of the oceans, on which our survival on Earth depends, since they provide 50% of the oxygen on our planet., the real risk is that in a few decades there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. The alarm was sounded by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who, during a conference on the oceans in Lisbon, spoke of an “ocean emergency” that could no longer be postponed. Pollution and climate change continue to damage the waters that cover 70% of the globe and provide billions of people with essential nutrients. “When we see Earth from space we really appreciate life on the blue planet, the ocean connects us all, unfortunately we take the ocean for granted and today we have to face what I would call an emergency for the oceans. reverse course.”
We have already seen how at the beginning of the pandemic improper disposal of medical protective equipment such as masks and disposable gloves has contributed to the increase in plastic levels in our waters.. According to the UN Environment Programme, the water content is equal to one truckload of plastic waste every minute. “Without decisive action, by 2050, plastic will surpass all the fish in the ocean,” Guterres warned, explaining that “we can’t have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean.” The path articulated by Guterres requires increased investment in renewable energy and more sustainable management of the oceans. More than 3.5 billion people currently depend on the seas for food security, and 120 million are directly involved in fisheries and aquaculture activities, especially in underdeveloped economies. A disruption to the health of the oceans has incalculable consequences for the most vulnerable populations, who also face difficulties in switching to other forms of energy. The most advanced economies face the challenge of setting clear and defined targets to avoid the worst.
Source: Elle