Oceans under Threat

The 193 UN member nations have pledged to take action against the deteriorating health and productivity of the world’s oceans, with US backing the plan while maintaining its stand against the ‘Paris Climate Accord’.

The Pledge

The plan on protecting the oceans was finally brought into effect at the first ever United Nations (UN) conference on oceans. It recognized the importance of the oceans that cover three-quarter of the earth. The respective leaders called upon people and organizations all around the world to take action against the increasing pollution of the oceans. Threats from plastic garbage, illegal and excessive fishing, rising sea levels and increasing acidity of ocean water affecting marine life, were discussed as they are the main reasons threatening the marine life.

This decision was unanimously approved by the countries; however, they are entitled to their reservations later. Although US backed out of the Paris agreement, it extended its support for this initiative on ocean protection.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, David Balton, who is in charge of oceans and fisheries, noted President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the climate deal and to renegotiate its participation, which has already been rejected by other countries. However, Balton said US is committed to work with the UN to address the threats to the oceans and ensure conservation and sustainable management for the future generation.

Deteriorating Ocean Conditions

The sea is being damaged for decades, destroying the coastal ecosystems & over exploiting fish stocks. Rising temperatures and ocean acidification has become the new global threat.

Plastic disposal in the sea has increased dramatically over the last 60 years which has become a serious threat to the marine environment. A 2016 World Economic Forum report said that there were over 150 million tons of plastic in the oceans and by 2050 there would be more plastics than fishes in the ocean.

Rising ocean temperature is the greatest challenge for the world. The Indian Ocean has been warming up for more than a century at a rate faster than any other region. Pacific Ocean has also witnessed a rise in temperature. The warm section of water in the Northern Pacific is likely to affect the weather conditions. Since the 1970s, more than 90% of the green house heat has been absorbed by the oceans. Most areas of the oceans are experiencing habitat loss especially the coastal areas due to increasing dredging and coastal development.

In 2015, the world leaders adopted new UN goals for the year 2030, for conserving and managing ocean resources. The UN has committed to protect over 10% of the globe’s marine areas by 2020. 

Assessment

Ocean pollution has become the greatest threat to the environment today. All the countries should implement stringent laws to prevent ocean pollution. Plastic which is the main pollutant in the ocean, should be banned. Countries should capitalize on waste generation, re-use, reduce and recycling. States around neighboring oceans should hold dialogues and implement necessary laws to ensure maintenance of the ocean’s health.

US cannot be trusted on its stand with the environmental issues as it has stepped out of the Paris Climate Accord. Although, it has been showing its commitment to the recent ocean plan,