“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Most of us love the ocean. But have you ever considered how much we need our oceans? We rely on them for the food we eat, the air we breathe, and for our economy. Sadly, as the world heats up, our seas are warming even faster. An estimated 90% of global warming has been absorbed by the ocean. On top of that, there has been unsustainable use of international waters. So news this week of a treaty to protect them is a big win for our oceans.
Why do we need a treaty?
Only 39% of the ocean is under jurisdiction of any nation, leaving the rest up for grabs. Essentially, the majority of the ocean is the “wild west”, which has led to overfishing, pollution, and other unsustainable activities. This spells trouble down the road for the estimated 3 billion people who rely on the ocean for their livelihood. Throw in the warming temperatures, and it’s clear our oceans need a lifeline.
What’s the deal with the High Seas Treaty?
It took almost 20 years to get here, but nearly 200 nations just inked an agreement to protect our oceans. The treaty will protect 30% of international waters by 2030. This will reign in the chaos by creating an international plan to manage the resources we all depend on, and prevent more loss of biodiversity.
How does climate change hurt the oceans?
- Harms the growth and development of marine animals (10% face extinction)
- Accelerates coral bleaching
- Raises sea levels – warmer water expands, and also melts polar ice
- Increases ocean acidity as more CO2 is absorbed
- Changes ocean currents, leading to more extreme weather
On top of all the other benefits, the treaty helps solve climate change, because it will allow more CO2 to be safely absorbed into the oceans.
Are we there yet?
For this plan to work, nations will need to ratify the treaty. In the US, this will require two-thirds of the Senate to vote in support. Piece of cake, right? Haha. The good news is there has been bipartisan support for similar conservation efforts in the past, so there is hope this treaty will make it through.
What can we do?
- Educate ourselves about the impact of climate change on the ocean
- Make two quick calls to our US Senators and ask them to ratify the High Seas Treaty
- Talk to friends and family members about the importance of preserving our oceans
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.