How to sabe the Oceans
Samantha Barona Jojoa
School Guías
Course: English
professor: Andrés Felipe Ramos
Santiago de Cali, Colombia
02 de mayo de 2024
Tabla de Contenidos.
How to Save oceans................................................................................................................3
Oil Spills and Their Effects.........................................................................................3
Main Species Affected by Oil.........................................................................3
Diseases Created by Oil Spills........................................................................3
Climate Change and Ocean Acidification...................................................................4
What is CO2 and Why is There More of it Than Necessary?.........................4
How CO2 Absorption Affects the Ocean........................................................4
Plastic Accumulation and Habitat Destruction...........................................................5
Species Affected by Habitat Destruction........................................................5
Overfishing and Resource Depletion..........................................................................5
What Can be Done to Improve Each of These Problems?..........................................6
Conclusions.................................................................................................................6
Bibliografia.............................................................................................................................6
How to Save oceans.
The oceans, which cover more than 70% of our planet's surface, are fundamental for
life on Earth. However, they face several problems that threaten their health and that of all
living beings that depend on them. In this essay, we will explore some of these issues and
propose solutions to improve the situation.
Oil Spills and Their Effects
One of the most serious problems affecting the oceans is oil spills. These incidents
cause irreparable damage to marine ecosystems, affecting key species such as seabirds,
marine mammals and fish. For example, the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill severely affected
species such as the bottlenose dolphin and brown pelican. In addition to direct mortality, oil
spills can also cause illness in marine species. Exposure to oil can cause respiratory
problems, skin damage and immune system disorders in animals.
Main Species Affected by Oil
Among the species most affected by oil spills are whales, dolphins, sea turtles and
seabirds. These animals depend on the ocean for their survival and are especially sensitive
to oil pollution. For example, sea turtles can ingest oil by mistaking it for food, causing
blockages in their digestive system and internal damage.
Diseases Created by Oil Spills
Contact with oil and its associated chemicals can cause serious illnesses in marine
species. For example, crude oil syndrome in seabirds can cause damage to the respiratory
system and reproductive problems. In addition, the hydrocarbons present in oil can be toxic
to fish and other aquatic organisms, affecting their health and reproductive capacity.
Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
Climate change is another major threat to the oceans. Rising water temperatures,
acidification and melting of the polar ice caps are some of the most worrisome
consequences. Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide
(CO2), affects organisms such as corals and mollusks, which have difficulty forming their
calcareous structures. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The
burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, is the main source of CO2 emissions.
What is CO2 and Why is There More of it Than Necessary?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural gas that forms part of the Earth's atmosphere. It is
essential for maintaining the planet's thermal balance, but its excess is causing an increase
in global temperature and a number of adverse impacts on ecosystems, including the
oceans. Human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, has
considerably increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.
How CO2 Absorption Affects the Ocean
The absorption of CO2 by the oceans has significant consequences for ocean health
and marine life. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which lowers the
pH of the water and causes acidification of the oceans. This affects organisms such as
corals, which have calcium carbonate skeletons and are sensitive to changes in water
acidity. Acidification can also alter water chemistry and affect other marine organisms, such
as mollusks and crustaceans.
Plastic Accumulation and Habitat Destruction
The accumulation of plastics in the oceans is an increasingly serious problem. It is
estimated that millions of tons of plastic are dumped into the sea each year, affecting
marine life and polluting coastal ecosystems. Sea turtles, for example, can mistake plastic
bags for jellyfish and die from ingestion. The destruction of coastal habitats, such as
mangroves and coral reefs, is also of concern. These ecosystems are vital for marine
biodiversity and act as natural barriers against storms and coastal erosion.
Species Affected by Habitat Destruction
The destruction of coastal and marine habitats affects a wide range of species,
including fish, crustaceans, seabirds and marine mammals. For example, the loss of
mangroves reduces the breeding and feeding grounds of many species, which can lead to
population declines and ecosystem imbalances. Coral reefs, on the other hand, are home to
a great diversity of marine life and are crucial to the health of the oceans.
Overfishing and Resource Depletion
Overfishing is another major threat to the oceans. Overharvesting of fish and other
marine species has led to the depletion of many fishery resources. This affects not only the
target species, but also the entire marine food chain and coastal communities that depend
on fishing for their livelihoods. To address overfishing, it is necessary to implement
sustainable fisheries management measures, such as creating marine protected areas,
regulating catches and promoting responsible fishing practices.
What Can be Done to Improve Each of These Problems?
Some of the recommendations that have been proposed to improve these issues have
been: Reduce CO2 emissions by transitioning to renewable energy sources, protect natural
ecosystems, and promote sustainable agricultural and forestry practices. Reduce the use of
single-use plastics, promote recycling and reuse of materials, and raise public awareness of
the environmental impacts of plastic. Establish protected areas and coastal and marine
habitat restoration programs, control coastal urbanization, and limit destructive fishing.
Implement sustainable fishing quotas, promote selective and responsible fishing, and
encourage diversification of food sources.
Conclusions
In conclusion, caring for the oceans is an urgent challenge that requires the
collective action of governments, businesses, organizations and citizens. With concrete
measures and a real commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of our marine
resources, we can protect and preserve the oceans for future generations.
Bibliografia.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric "Oil Spills and Marine Life." taken from:
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/oil-
spills-and-marine-life
World Wildlife Fund (WWF). "Oil Spill Impacts on Wildlife and Habitat." taken from:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/impact-of-oil-spills
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). "Climate Change 2022:
Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability." taken from:
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
Ocean Conservancy. "Plastic Pollution and Its Impact on Ocean Health." taken
from:
https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/plastics-in-the-ocean/
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). "Healthy Oceans, Healthy
Planet." taken from:
https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/oceans-seas/what-we-do/addressing-
marine-pollution
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations "The State of World
Fisheries and Aquaculture." taken from:
http://www.fao.org/3/cb1820en/cb1820en.pdf
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). "Sustainable Fishing Practices." taken from:
https://www.msc.org/what-you-can-do/eat-sustainable-fish
"Blue Economy: Sustainable Development Goals." taken from:
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals/sdg-14-life-below-w
