Читать книгу Oceans For Dummies - Joseph Kraynak - Страница 28

Every relationship requires some give and take, and this is certainly true regarding the relationship between humans and the sea. For millions of years, humans have been taking from the ocean without giving much in return. We’ve used it for food, transportation, vacation, recreation, and exploration. In the past 100 years or so, we’ve come to rely on it as a source for energy, minerals, and medications. And the ocean has always been a source of mystery, inspiring scientists, artists, and writers. (See Chapter 19 for more about the many ways the ocean makes a positive impact on our lives — economically and in other ways.)

Tragically, the ocean and its inhabitants are suffering, and it’s time we give back to the ocean which has given us so much. We humans have caused most of the ocean’s problems — ocean warming and acidification from greenhouse gas emissions, a steep decline in fish populations, devastating pollution like plastic and runoff, harmful coastal development resulting in the destruction of marine habitats, mining and drilling, and the introduction of invasive species.

Despite all these negatives, we have high hopes for a brighter future. The ocean is resilient and can help us solve many of these problems, but we all need to work together to reduce and reverse the damage. Here are some of the steps we must take to preserve this precious and irreplaceable resource:

 Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions: Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions include dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, at a minimum, is critical to slowing and stopping human-caused climate change, ocean acidification, and warming ocean temperatures.

 Reduce pollution: Pollution in the air, water, and even on land ends up in the ocean. Sources of pollution include plastics (which never really biodegrade), sewage, industrial chemicals, agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, land runoff (especially from streets and parking lots), oil spills, ocean mining, littering, and the use of certain sunscreens.

 Fish sustainably: Overfishing combined with destructive fishing methods are devastating marine wildlife populations risk. International legislation and enforcement are crucial for ensuring a sufficient supply of seafood for ourselves as well as marine ecosystems.

 Create marine protected areas (MPAs): MPAs are areas where certain consumptive or destructive activities are prohibited for the purpose of protecting ecosystems, sustaining fisheries production, or preserving cultural resources.

 Engage youth: The best way to make lasting change is from the ground up. It starts by educating the youth. They’re best equipped to change their own behaviors and influence the minds, hearts, and actions of parents, teachers, government representatives, community members, and business leaders.

For more about threats to the ocean and what we can do to preserve it for future generations, see Chapter 21.

Pretty cool, huh? The ocean is an amazing place, and we hope that reading this book makes you fall in love with the ocean for the first time … or all over again; that you learn, laugh, maybe even shed a tear; and, most importantly, that you’re inspired, knowing YOU have the power to help our mighty ocean.