Complete human effects on the world's oceans have nearly doubled in the last decade and will double again in the next decade if sufficient action is not taken.
For the first time, a recent analysis published in Scientific Reports examines where and how rapidly the cumulative effects of humans on oceans, such as nitrogen contamination and overfishing, are changing.
The accumulated impacts are rising dramatically in approximately 60% of the Ocean, and many areas, at a rate that appears to be accelerating.
Every human on our blue planet is closely connected to the Ocean. That means our decisions can have a positive or negative impact on the Ocean.
Destruction of the Natural Environment
Drilling or mining for aggregates for concrete and other construction materials, harmful anchoring, coral removal, and land "reclamation" have all affected ocean environments somehow.
Emissions of carbon dioxide
Humans have raised carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to levels that have resulted in ocean acidification and warming, among other climate-related negative effects, since the industrial revolution.
Pollution by Chemicals
Many harmful chemical spills have occurred at sea and on land, affecting animals either immediately through ingestion or long-term through changes in reproductive cycles and other biological processes.
Spills of Oil
Unfortunately, oil spills continue to occur, covering beaches, falling to suffocate ocean plant life, and killing several birds, fish, and sea animals. Just 10% of marine oil pollution is caused by releases, with the majority coming mostly from shipping and oil drilling. The reliance on oil is causing the death of fish, mammals, and seabirds and whole damaging habitats.
Pollution due to Noise
According to research, underwater noise from the building, shipping, and naval vessels has been shown to have a major effect on cetaceans and other marine animals' natural behavior. When mass beaching events occur or breeding success is reduced, this can be seen.
Pollution caused by Plastic
In the last 100 years, the planet has become aware of the millions of plastic tonnes that have reached the Ocean. The effects of this plague will be felt for a long time. In the oceans, there are more than five trillion bits of plastic waste. Furthermore, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is expanding. We remove every pound of tuna from the Ocean, replacing it with two pounds of Plastic. There is an immediate need for bold interventions to reduce plastic waste.
Overfishing is a problem in the fishing industry
Factory fishing has decimated local fish populations in many regions, leaving too few adults to breed for the future. Our seas have been steadily drained of fish. We caught as many as we could with small boats and fishing rods close to the shore. Then we went a step further and fished for pelagic fish like herring and tuna. Then we went deeper, catching animals like the orange roughly, which can live up to 150 years and doesn't breed until it's 20.
In general, it's not a good idea to consume foods that are older than you: we should eat food that is lower on the food chain and can replicate easily. The oceans are like a deep freezer stuffed with fish that we've almost depleted.
Fishing that is harmful to the environment
Certain fishing methods lead to overfishing of their target species, but they also damage the ecosystem by dredging the seabed or capturing and discarding other species.
Runoff from the surface
Tarmac and other human-made land surfaces contribute to the easy flow of gas, diesel, and other toxic chemicals into rivers and directly into the Ocean as urbanization grows.
Deoxygenating
Pollution of the Ocean has occurred in some parts of the world due to increased agricultural fertilizer use and warming ocean waters. This ensures that there is less dissolved oxygen available for native marine life, harming biological processes.
Mining in the Deep Sea
Deep-sea mining is a new problem facing the Ocean. Metals used in our computers, tablets, and batteries can be found on the seafloor, posing a serious threat to marine animals.
Last words
All the negativity surrounding our Ocean's current condition, the good news is that it is not too late to make a difference. What we have to do now is to take a positive step.
