Healthy oceans, healthy planet
8 June is World Oceans Day, celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of marine environments to the survival of the planet.
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day 2021 is being held on 8 June. This year, the United Nations wishes to emphasise the fundamental importance of our oceans as a source of life for human beings. This year's theme, "The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods", reminds us that not only do oceans produce 50 % of the planet's oxygen, but also that they are home to the majority of the planet's biodiversity and are the main food source for millions of people worldwide.
Nevertheless, the data published by scientists on their deterioration are alarming. The 90 % decline in large fish stocks and the destruction of more than 50 % of reefs are overwhelming evidence that their balance and the rich biodiversity that they protect are at risk.
In Sustainability for all we have analyzed different aspects that affect the sustainability of the oceans, its flora and fauna: climate change, rising sea levels, pollution, fishing, water acidification... and we compile in this gallery all these publications.
Source: UN
Measures to be taken to deal with 'hunting' in the oceans
The sustainability of our oceans is closely related with the state of the living beings that inhabit them. Many species are in danger due to man's actions, such as mass hunting of dolphins for food (and especially their sale to dolphinariums), of whales for their meat or for cosmetic use, sharks just for their fin.
Destructive vs sustainable fishing
When we speak about destructive fishing techniques, we refer to seabed devastation, species overexploitation and non-selective fishing. Oceans acidification is increasing at a dramatic pace, contributing to the extinction of vegetal and animal species which, together with overexploitation and destructive fishing methods, is undermining our seas health.
What is acid rain?
Acid rain is one of the consequences of air pollution. It occurs when emissions from factories, cars or heating boilers contact with the water in the atmosphere. These emissions contain nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, which when mixed with water become sulfurous acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. This process also occurs naturally through volcanic eruptions.
How the water cycle works?
The natural water cycle is being affected by changes in climate, overextraction and pollution. Acidification of the oceans is a real and present problem to avoid.
Garbage patches
Maybe for a few years now you've heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the other islands of trash that populate Earth's seas. You've probably seen pictures of an enormous accumulation of debris of all kinds adrift on the ocean surface. This waste stain stretches over a million and a half square kilometers -three times Spain or the sum of Peru and Ecuador-.
What are bioplastics?
Bioplastics are biodegradable materials that come from renewable sources and can be used to reduce the problem of contaminating plastic waste that is suffocating the planet and contaminating the environment. Does it make any sense to continue using packaging that can take centuries to disappear to pack products that only last days or months?
Sea level rise: causes and consequences
Is the planet in deep water? Metaphorically speaking, there may be disparate opinions: it is true that human action has caused havoc on the environment, in some cases with no possibility of turning back; but those who prefer to see the glass half full focus on the purpose of amendment and the progress made to reverse the situation.
Countries at risk of disappearing due to climate change
Climate change poses a major threat to the whole planet, but there are certain geographical areas which are more exposed to the dangers of global warming. These countries are part of the so-called SIDS (Small Island Developing States), which by its nature will be the first to suffer the consequences of climate change and are in danger of disappearing.
Polar melting in figures
The international scientific community has agreed that the Arctic and Antarctic ice melting is now a proven fact. Climate change, chiefly caused by greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, has affected many vulnerable ecosystems.
