This weekend, take a moment to consider the ocean. Perhaps you are one of the 2.4 billion people — that’s 40 per cent of the world’s population — who live within 100 kilometres of the coast. But even if you don’t get to hear the waves every day, the ocean and its coasts affect us all, from jobs and tourism to food and climate regulation.
From Sept. 16-22, The Conversation Canada is celebrating Science Literacy Week — and the ocean.
The ocean covers 70 per cent of the planet’s surface and contains the Earth’s highest peaks, deepest valleys and flattest plains. It holds more than 500,000 species (and perhaps as many as 10 million) that feed us and provide us with the ingredients for medicines that help fight cancer and heart disease. And living at the sea surface are marine phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms that produce half the oxygen on Earth. The ocean is even slowing the rate of climate change by absorbing about a third of the human emissions of carbon dioxide and much of the additional heat being trapped by global warming.
Despite all these benefits, the ocean is under threat from human activities. Millions of tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually, putting marine fish, mammals and seabirds at risk. Marine heatwaves and ocean acidification due to climate change are destroying coral reefs and straining coastal resources, including economically important fisheries. Mining companies are even looking to the seafloor to
extract the metals we need for everything from cell phones to aircraft engines to wind turbines. Shipping, fishing and tourist activities are contributing to whale deaths.
But there is hope. Bans on single-use plastics are gaining ground around the world and citizens are taking part in beach cleanups and scientific studies to identify research questions, collect data and test solutions. The number of marine protected areas is gaining as countries race to meet their 2020 conservation targets, and there are new rules governing shipping, deep-sea mining, pollution and more in the works.
And don’t forget: we’re travelling east next week with two live events that will take a critical look at the ocean and its future. Come join us and our authors for an interactive panel discussion at the Halifax Public Library on Monday, Sept.16 and the Johnson GEO CENTRE in St. John's, Nfld., on Wednesday, Sept.18.
Come and explore the ocean with us!
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