Over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is made up of water. Our oceans contain an incredible amount of biodiversity. However, our oceans have come under threat and are now facing the repercussions of marine pollution, climate change and global warming. Let’s dive deep into the issues faced by our marine life, and explore ways to alleviate the situation!
Before we delve into the different ways to save our oceans, what exactly is the ocean and what does it do? The ocean is the continuous body of salt water that spans across the globe! The ocean is so vast that it covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface and is home to over 200,000 species of living organisms!
Did you know? 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal diversity for their livelihood. In addition, our oceans are crucial in providing a natural barrier against storm damage and it is also a great place for tourism and recreation!
Despite the crucial role our oceans play in our lives, it is currently affected by a multitude of problems such as marine pollution, climate change and global warming. To put it into perspective, 70 percent of the world’s coral reefs are in danger due to warmer waters and water pollution.
Moreover, marine pollution has had detrimental effects on our oceans and lives. Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash that comes from land sources and is washed into the ocean. Some effects of marine pollution include damage to the health of organisms and the environment.
Likewise, Singapore is not spared from the ramifications of marine pollution. In 2018, 1,345 plastic straws & stirrers were collected during a beach cleanup.
Oftentimes, the impact of marine pollution is not seen immediately. Rather, our marine life is the one directly affected. For example, fish could get entangled in debris and fish might ingest the microplastics in the oceans.
Our oceans may seem vast and indestructible, but that is far from the truth. Check out the illustrations below for three actions we can take to conserve our ocean and marine life!
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Source: Sustainable Singapore Gallery