It's World Ocean Day: 5 ways to protect the ocean

 

Our ocean is one of the greatest natural forces on Earth. In celebration of World Ocean Day, we recognize all that our marine environment gives to people and nature through words and images.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: The ocean shows her beauty In each and every wave She is boundless, bold, and brave. Beneath the surface Deep within her waters And along her shores roam Millions of creatures that call her home. With every ebb and flow We know She brings life And brings joy She transports us And transforms us She brings nourishment And flourishment. Her gifts to us are all that we need To eat, To live, To breathe. Let us honor her with action Her future won’t wait It’s not too late. One drop in the ocean Can cause a ripple effect A wave of change and respect Once put in motion Together, we can protect our ocean. Over 100 countries around the world have committed to conserving our ocean. Help us conserve and protect at least 30% of our global ocean by 2030.

Happy World Ocean Day—a reminder of the beauty and importance of our marine wilderness, and why we must preserve it for future generations. Video: What "Our Ocean" Means to Us A healthy ocean is vital to life on Earth. It is a source of food and livelihood and sustains nearly a quarter of known species. In response, more than 80 countries are united in a call to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. WATCH 5 WAYS WE CAN PROTECT THE GLOBAL OCEAN 1. End Harmful Subsidies That Drive Overfishing Overfishing is one of the greatest threats to the health of the global ocean. New research found that ending harmful fisheries subsidies could increase fish biomass by 12.5%—three times what Africa consumes annually—by 2050. SEE HOW 2. Protect International Waters With a U.N. Treaty Twenty of the world's leading scientists have called on world leaders to establish a United Nations high seas treaty to protect waters beyond national jurisdiction. The high seas represent two-thirds of the ocean, but only 1% of these waters are protected. 20 SCIENTISTS SPEAK

3. Safeguard Reefs to Help Countries Adapt to Climate Change Closer to shore, coral reefs provide food, income, and cultural value to communities. What's more, reefs help reduce wave impacts, an important climate adaptation benefit. RESPECT THE REEFS 4. Establish More Fully Protected Marine Reserves Two new studies underscore the benefits of fully protected marine areas. Partial protections yielded no ecological benefits, whereas another area with full protections increased fish stocks in overfished reefs. SEE WHY 5. Protect 30% of the Global Ocean by 2030 It'll take more than marine protected areas to meet the "30 by 30" goal. Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), if properly implemented, can help. WHAT'S AN OECM?