Tag: coral-reefs

Biodiversity in Crisis: Liberating Marine Life

Artwork by Lasya Priya Manala

By: Shubhi Batra, 11, India

Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), titled “Life Below
Water,” focuses on conserving and sustainably using the
oceans, seas, and marine resources. Oceans cover over 70%
of the Earth’s surface and are critical to sustaining life on the
planet. They regulate the climate, provide food and livelihoods
for billions of people, and house a vast array of biodiversity.
However, human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and
climate change are severely threatening marine ecosystems.
SDG 14 aims to reduce marine pollution, protect marine and
coastal ecosystems, regulate fishing practices, and ensure that
oceans remain healthy and productive. Achieving this goal is
essential for maintaining the balance of marine life, supporting
the livelihoods of those who depend on the oceans, and
ensuring a sustainable future for all.


Some ways biodiversity is severely harmed:

1. Marine Pollution 

Plastic Pollution: Oceans are  filled with millions of tons of  plastic waste each year, which harms marine life and ecosystems. Marine animals, like turtles, fish, and seabirds, often ingest or become entangled in plastic  debris, leading to injury or death. 

Chemical Pollution: Industrial  waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage, introduce harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals  and pesticides, into marine environments. These pollutants can cause  severe damage to marine species and disrupt entire ecosystems. 

2. Overfishing and Sustainable Fishing 

Overfishing: The depletion of fish stocks due to overfishing  threatens food security, livelihoods, and the balance of marine ecosystems. Many fish species are harvested at rates faster than they  can reproduce, leading to population declines.

Sustainable Fishing: Implementing sustainable fishing practices involves  setting catch limits, protecting endangered species, and using methods that minimize bycatch (the capture of unintended species). Sustainable fisheries management ensures the long term viability of fish populations and marine ecosystems. 

3. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) 

Importance of MPAs: Establishing Marine Protected Areas is  crucial for conserving marine biodiversity. MPAs restrict human  activities in designated regions, to protect vulnerable species and  habitats,allowing ecosystems to recover and thrive. 

Global Targets: SDG 14 aims to increase the coverage of MPAs, by setting a target to conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2030. These areas serve as safe havens for marine life, helping to maintain  healthy oceans.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Marine Life

Artwork by Aqif Shairazee Abdul Rashid bin Othman

By: Deepesh Ayyapparaj, 12, India

Imagine a world where the ocean’s majesty is diminished, its vibrancy dulled, and its songs silenced. This is the reality we face if we don’t act to protect our planet’s marine life. This is the alarming reality we face today, a mystery of missing marine life unraveling before our eyes. But like any good mystery, there are clues and suspects, and with careful detective work, we can solve this case and restore the health of our oceans.


The Whodunit: Identifying the Culprits
The culprits in this mystery are not hidden villains; they are well-known to us, and they operate in plain sight. Climate change, pollution, and overfishing are the prime suspects in the disappearance of marine species. Rising ocean temperatures and acidification are altering habitats, making it difficult for creatures to survive. Pollution from plastics, chemicals, and agricultural runoff chokes our waters, harming marine life. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices deplete fish populations, disrupting the delicate balance of the ocean’s ecosystem.

The Detective Work
But there’s hope! By investigating our own impact on the ocean and making changes, we can crack the case of the missing marine life. We can reduce our carbon footprint, choose sustainable seafood options, and support conservation efforts. Community clean-ups, campaigns against single-use plastics, and advocacy for stronger environmental policies are all part of the detective work needed to solve this case.

The Verdict
The disappearance of marine life is a direct result of human activity. However, the verdict is not yet final, and we have the power to change it. By making conscious choices and advocating for the protection of our oceans, we can ensure that the verdict is one of hope and restoration. Let’s work together to bring the ocean back to life, hear its songs once more, and witness its majestic creatures’ return. The ocean is our shared heritage, and it is up to us to protect it.

Beacons of Hope

By: Saira Thomas, UAE

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the countless environmental issues we face, like trying to outrun an avalanche? When you see images of sea animals tangled in plastic waste, their fragile bodies pierced by our pollution, have you felt helpless? Have you ever longed for a sign, a reassurance that if we tried hard enough, we could make a difference? Hold onto that feeling as I guide you through two separate challenges—one from life below water, and another from life on land.

A few months ago, while strolling along the beach near my home, I stumbled upon some unusual white stones. Upon closer look, I realised they were corals. This puzzled me, as I remembered coral reefs being beautifully vibrant, not pale and lifeless. My curiosity led me to research, where I uncovered the harsh truth about coral bleaching—a consequence of pollution and rising ocean temperatures caused by global warming. Bleached reefs suffer from slower growth, diminished reproduction, and often die, much like the ones I had found. This past year, coral bleaching has accelerated at an alarming rate, and experts predict that by 2050, up to 90% of the world’s reef ecosystems could die unless drastic steps are taken to reverse global warming (Rolls, 2021).

Let me lift our thoughts from the weight of a daunting future by sharing the inspiring story of the Arabian Oryx. Once roaming the Arabian desert freely, these majestic creatures were nearly wiped out by excessive hunting for their horns, skin, and meat and by the early 1970s, they were declared extinct in the wild (Gross, 2022). Thankfully, a few were rescued, and through dedicated captive breeding, their population began to recover. After years of effort, they were reintroduced to their natural habitat. In 2011, the Arabian Oryx made history as the first species to revert from the status of extinct in the wild to vulnerable (Gross, 2022). The Oryx will forever remain a symbol of atonement, resilience, and hope for nature lovers everywhere.

Despite the grim statistics and warnings, there are many such positive examples that inspire hope. The overwhelming response to Harmony is a testament to the new generation of sustainability warriors making a difference around the world. These individuals are beacons of hope, strengthening our resolve and guiding us toward a better, brighter, and more sustainable future. Together, we can correct the mistakes of the past and build a path forward.

References

‌Gross, M. (2022). Desert revival. Current Biology, 32(9), R399–R401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.051

Rolls, L. (2021, November 12). Why are coral reefs dying? UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/why-are-coral-reefs-dying