No Oceans, No Life
We Need Healthy Oceans to Survive
Worldwide oceans produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe. They provide billions of people with food and income. Oceans are also home to many wonderful wildlife species, from tiny plankton to the largest animal on Earth: the blue whale. But, our oceans are under threat.
Centuries of overuse and neglect have turned the once rich oceans into a vast blue wasteland. The time is now (actually yesterday) to change the way we see our oceans. They are not places where we can endlessly dump our waste and get unlimited fish. They are sources of life, for nature and therefore, for us. We must act now to restore ocean health. The solutions are within reach.
We have already lost half of our coral reefs and mangroves – some of the most productive marine areas in the world. And we have brought many critical fish stocks to the point of collapse, threatening people’s livelihoods and food security. It also harms other species, including seabirds, sea turtles, and dolphins.
The problems are most severe in coastal areas, which are home to many unusual species. These places are often rich in fish and other resources that people like to use. And it is precisely these regions that are often densely populated by people. Coastal communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable. They are the first to be hit by erosion, sea level rise, more extreme weather, and food shortages. These disasters are usually caused by the loss of natural coastal protectors such as reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
Pollution, from plastics to untreated wastewater to agricultural chemicals, harms nature and pollutes food chains. Climate change is making the ocean warmer and more acidic, which is a disaster if left unchecked.
We work with the local population, companies and governments to restore the health of our oceans for people and nature.
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1
Marine Protected Areas
With a network of marine protected areas we can restore and protect underwater nature. The corals and all animals under water are able to survive and thrive under proper protection.
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2
Sustainable fishery
Together with local fishers, governments and the local population, we are working on sustainable alternatives, such as escape hatches for sea turtles in fishing nets.
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3
Stop plastic pollution
We are trying to stop the enormous flow of plastic into the sea with recycling projects. We also help to organize local beach cleanups.
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4
Climate Change
If we restore marine life, it will be more resilient to climate change. For example, we can cultivate coral and revive coral reefs.