Why We Need to Protect 30% of the Ocean by 2030.
June 8th was International Ocean’s Day, and with it came a spotlight on recent initiatives taken up by governments and corporations alike to protect the ocean in a sustainable manner. One such proposed plan is the “30x30” initiative, an ambitious target created by the 2014 World Parks Congress to reclassify at least 30% of the Ocean as highly protected marine areas by 2030.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are one of the principal tools to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems sustainably and alleviate human activities' devastating consequences, such as overfishing and habitat destruction. Over the years, we have seen a drastic loss in marine biodiversity and the destruction of coastal ecosystems that, in turn, deoxygenated the ocean. Over 50% of the world's oxygen comes from the sea, yet only 5% of the Earth’s oceans are currently protected in any manner. The role of the ocean and coastal and marine ecosystems in climate change mitigation is often overlooked. MPAs that do not allow industrial fishing play a significant role in restoring and protecting biodiversity, ultimately increasing the ocean’s ability to be an effective carbon sink. MPAs are the only way to secure a healthy ocean that can be resilient against climate change.
Establishing 30% of the world’s oceans as MPAs is essential for production and prosperity that benefits people, nature and the economy. Approximately 40% of the world’s population, or nearly 2.4 billion people, live on marine coastlines, and a disproportionate number of these people live in developing nations. Developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change's effects due to a lack of infrastructure, and have a heavier reliance on marine outputs for their livelihoods. With the health of our ocean, and ultimately our planet, at such a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change, greater accountability must be undertaken by governments and corporations alike. While lawmakers play a vital role in mitigating environmental disasters, we have a role at a company level to enact eco-politics to better our planet.
At Probity Marketing, we are lucky to be working with corporations that put sustainability at the forefront of their business. One such company, Whale Seeker, is a certified B Corp Montreal start-up utilizing AI technologies to monitor whales. Whales naturally sequester oxygen in open waters and contribute to a sustainable and healthy ocean. In turn, observing these majestic creatures help policymakers determine areas to be designated as MPAs to bolster the health of our oceans further. Some of the most vulnerable parts of the sea are deep within international waters, making the onus of protection and monitoring less than crystalline. Whale Seeker’s innovative monitoring technologies may provide solutions to help answer some of these murky questions. Another client of ours, eOceans, is a platform that utilizes cutting-edge technology to connect decision-makers with up-to-date information about the ocean's wellbeing. eOceans can facilitate corporate responsibility toward ocean regeneration through their platform by providing companies and governments with the data necessary to make sustainable changes.
Sustainability is a crucial pillar at Probity Marketing, yet all business leaders can positively impact our oceans' health. Carbon footprints are often talked about as sustainable initiatives for greener business practices, yet few look into the impact of their business on the ocean. Between plastic pollution, marine transportation, and runoff from industrial activities, there are many entry points for decreasing oceanic pollution during production and manufacturing processes that your company can initiate. Companies can also make positive contributions toward ocean sustainability by supporting community-led organizations and projects. This can range from corporate-sponsored beach cleanups, to youth environmental camps, to recycling and reducing waste education programs. Companies can also create partnerships with NGOs that focus on sustainable development goals within local communities.
Taking care of the world we inhabit is not just a matter of survival, it has an impact on consumers choosing your business. If you want to leave a positive legacy in the world through your business's environmental impact, or are looking for help in making sure your audience knows that you are purpose-driven, contact us. We'd love to help you find better ways to do business sustainably. Our responsibility, as a company, as a community, and as individuals, is to protect our ocean and, ultimately, the planet.
