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Original article appeared on Greenpeace Argentina’s website Here.
The oceans are vital to the survival of our planet. They provide food and work for millions, and they are vital to weather control. Without them, the planet would not be able to sustain itself.
The Climate crisisThe current crisis we are experiencing is also a crisis for the oceans. We can see the impacts of this crisis on fires, droughts and floods due to the importance of the oceans in climate control, water cycle and carbon capture. The climate effects of human exploitation are ongoing and often irreversible. Healthy oceansPlay a Essential roleIn mitigating the effects of climate breakdown, Overfishing, Exploration for oil and gas, plastic pollutionOur oceans are suffering from huge exhaustion, which is affecting their ability and capacity to deal with climate change.
Oceans represent 70% of the planet and international waters comprise 43% of the planet’s surface but only an alarming one percent of international waters are protected. Nearly half of the planet’s surface is at risk due to human activity and lack of protection.
These are 10 facts about climate and oceans.
1. Oceans absorb 90% of the climate system’s excess heat.
2. Without oceans, earth’s temperature would have risen 36 °C (96.8 °F).
3. The ocean currents are being affected by climate change. This means that the reach of the Brazil warm stream is expanding south in the Argentine Sea.
5. The oceans contribute between 50% and 80% to the atmosphere each year.
6. Prochlorococcus, an extremely small cyanobacteria which is part the marine phytoplankton is responsible for producing greater oxygen than any tropical forests around the world.
7. Oceans absorb 30 times more carbon than tropical forests, and almost one third of methane and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere (10 gigatons).
8. Human activities, such as overfishing, plastic pollution, and offshore gas and oil extraction, affect the ocean’s ability to fulfill the functions that help cope and deal with climate change.
9. If flood protection measures are not improved, the annual damage caused by flooding will increase by two to three times the current level.
10. It is anticipated that the El Niño extreme events will occur approximately twice as many times as in the 21st century.
What can we do for our oceans to be preserved?
1. Protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 through the creation of a Global Ocean Treaty.
2. Prohibit all commercial whale hunting in the world.
3. Stop ocean pollution
4. Combat illegal, unregulated, or undeclared fishing among other demands.
5. Forbid fossil-fuel extraction from seabed.
What’s next?
Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise, a Greenpeace ship, is currently in the Argentine Sea to investigate vulnerable marine ecosystems. Greenpeace Argentina demands the full human rights to a stable climate.Suspension on oil exploration projects They will have severe consequences on the ocean, biodiversity, and climate.
We must stop the industrialization and expansion of our global commons. Nearly five million people around the globe have signed a petition asking world leaders to establish a strong Global Ocean Treaty. Join them by signing too.
Laura Colombo is the Digital Engagement Coordinator for Greenpeace Argentina.
