Life Below Water
Life Below Water is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations in 2015. This goal seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for present and future generations.
What is Life Below Water?
Life Below Water focuses on preserving the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable fishing practices, reducing marine pollution, and addressing the impacts of ocean acidification and climate change on aquatic life. The goal recognizes the critical role that oceans and seas play in supporting life on Earth, providing livelihoods for millions of people, and contributing to global food security, trade, and transportation.
Oceans cover over 70% of the planet's surface, host an incredible diversity of marine species, and regulate the Earth's climate and weather patterns. However, human activities such as overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change have put immense pressure on marine environments, leading to the decline of marine biodiversity and the degradation of vital ecosystems. Life Below Water seeks to reverse these negative trends and protect the oceans' vital functions and services.
Definition of Life Below Water
Life Below Water Initiatives
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Establishing and expanding protected areas in oceans and seas to conserve marine biodiversity, safeguard critical habitats, and allow ecosystems to recover, ensures that vulnerable marine species and ecosystems have safe spaces to thrive and regenerate. These protected areas also serve as important research sites, helping scientists better understand marine ecosystems and informing more effective conservation strategies.
Ocean Cleanup Projects
Initiatives focused on reducing marine pollution, including plastics, oil spills, and other contaminants, to maintain the integrity of marine ecosystems and protect marine life, play a crucial role in preserving the health of oceans and preventing harm to marine species caused by pollution. These projects not only clean up existing pollution but also raise awareness about the importance of waste reduction and responsible waste disposal to prevent further marine contamination.
Sustainable Fisheries Management
Implementing responsible fishing practices to prevent overfishing, protect endangered species, and support the livelihoods of fishing communities, helps maintain fish populations at sustainable levels and ensures the long-term viability of the fishing industry. It also promotes ecosystem resilience, as balanced fish populations contribute to healthier marine food webs and enhance the overall health of ocean ecosystems.
Why Life Below Water is Important
Significant Portion of the World's Oxygen
Oceans and seas are major contributors to the production of the world's oxygen. Phytoplankton, tiny marine organisms, are responsible for approximately 50% of the global oxygen supply through photosynthesis. Without these oxygen-producing organisms, life as we know it would be unsustainable. Therefore, the health of life below water directly impacts the oxygen levels in our atmosphere, supporting the well-being of all terrestrial life, including humans.
Regulating the Climate
The oceans play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate. They act as a massive heat sink, absorbing and storing vast amounts of heat from the sun. This heat distribution helps regulate global temperatures and weather patterns, moderating extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night and between different regions. Additionally, the oceans' circulation patterns, such as the Gulf Stream, influence weather systems and climate conditions worldwide. Any disruption or degradation of marine ecosystems can lead to imbalances in climate patterns, contributing to more frequent and severe weather events.
Supporting Diverse Marine Ecosystems
Marine ecosystems are incredibly diverse and interconnected, providing habitats for a wide array of species, from the tiniest plankton to the largest whales. These ecosystems support intricate food webs, where each species plays a specific role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. The variety of marine species also contributes to genetic diversity, which is essential for the resilience and adaptability of species in the face of environmental changes and disturbances.
Life Below Water Statistics
30% of Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming and climate change. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, release vast amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures and climate-related disruptions. Thankfully, the world's oceans act as a significant carbon sink, absorbing roughly 30% of the CO2 emissions produced by human activities. Through a process called oceanic carbon sequestration, CO2 dissolves into seawater, where it forms carbonic acid and other compounds.
3 Billion
According to World Resource Institute, marine and coastal environments are of utmost importance for millions of people around the world who directly depend on them for their livelihoods. Coastal communities often rely on fishing as a primary source of income and sustenance. Small-scale fishers, in particular, heavily depend on marine resources to support their families and communities. Fishing not only provides jobs but also contributes to local and national economies through trade and export of seafood products. Moreover, tourism in coastal regions is a significant economic driver, attracting visitors seeking pristine beaches, coral reefs, and marine wildlife.
400 Million
Plastic is a synthetic organic polymer made from petroleum with properties ideally suited for a wide variety of applications including: packaging, building and construction, household and sports equipment, vehicles, electronics and agriculture. Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year, half of which is used to create single-use items such as shopping bags, cups and straws. If discarded improperly, plastic waste can harm the environment and biodiversity.
Life Below Water in the News
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Ocean action plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the health of our planet and shaping a sustainable future for all. As we commemorate this year's World Environment Day on June 5th and World Oceans Day on June 8th, it is a crucial moment to focus on the significance of our oceans and their impact on our lives. This period, known as World Ocean Week, provides an excellent opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations to come together and take concrete actions to protect our oceans and marine ecosystems.
Why WaterAid?
It is a stark and unfortunate reality that in our modern world, 2 billion people are living without access to clean water, and 3.6 billion people lack access to a reliable toilet. This should not be normal. Clean water is a fundamental human right and an essential element for healthy living. It is a basic necessity that should be available to every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location. Without clean water, communities face significant challenges in maintaining good health, sanitation, and proper hygiene practices. Lack of access to clean water can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, causing illness and even death, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
Life Below Water
According to Euro Stat, the Sustainable Development Goal ‘Life Below Water' (SDG 14) aims to protect and ensure the sustainable use of oceans. This includes reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification, ending overfishing and conserving marine and coastal ecosystems. SDG 14 is strongly related to other SDGs as oceans sustain coastal economies and livelihoods, contribute to food production and function as a carbon sink.
Monitoring SDG 14 within the EU context thus involves looking into trends in the areas of ocean health, marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
How to Help Life Below Water Initiatives
Climate Action
Choose sustainably sourced seafood and advocate for responsible fishing practices and policies to ensure the long-term health of fish populations, protect marine biodiversity, and support the livelihoods of fishing communities that depend on the oceans for their income and sustenance.
Support Sustainable Fisheries
Advocate for policies that address climate change and support renewable energy sources to reduce its impact on oceans, as rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification threaten marine ecosystems and disrupt the delicate balance of marine life.
Raise Awareness
Educate others about the importance of marine conservation and the need for protecting life below water, highlighting how individual actions, such as reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable choices, can collectively make a significant positive impact on the health of our oceans.
