Oceans

May 25

Written By Kim Vinet

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Here is Issue 07 of Affirmative’s Newsletter — What Sustainability Really Means — focusing on OCEANS

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OCEANS

TRENDING:

Vulnerable Nations Already Making Waves for Climate Strategy

HAVE YOU HEARD OF?

30 by 30

SDG SPOTLIGHT:

Goal 14: Life Below Water

IMPACT TIP:

Stop Microwasting

WHAT’S IT MATTER?

Ocean Acidification

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AFFIRMATIVE
SUSTAINABILITY INC.

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TRENDING:
VULNERABLE NATIONS ALREADY MAKING WAVES FOR CLIMATE STRATEGY

“Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home.” -Pope Francis; the Vatican (October '21)

The Philippines is hit by on average, 20 cyclones per year, making it one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. It recently became the first national human rights commission to tie the actions & responsibilities of fossil fuel companies to the impacts of climate change.

The commission found that the world’s largest fossil fuel companies had “engaged in willful obfuscation & obstruction to prevent meaningful climate action.” The commission has no enforcement powers, but legal experts contend, the report’s findings provide precedent for new climate-related human rights protections elsewhere.

Activist investors are also using their shareholder influence to encourage climate-responsible longterm spending on behalf of fossil fuel companies. Last year’s landmark climate vote to replace ExxonMobil board members has resulted in increased disclosure of Scope 3 emissions, more ambitious corporate targets for low-carbon solutions and a push for a profitable energy transition.

While the major oil & gas companies only account for 15% of the world’s petroleum supply, they have strategic influence on how governments perceive the balance of power in energy markets. The longterm goal is that shareholder influence will continue to impact global climate strategy.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF?

30 by 30

The 30 by 30 is the Marine Conservation Institute’s goal to secure at least 30% of the world’s ocean in a network of strong, well managed marine protected areas (MPA’s) by the year 2030. Scientific evidence suggests that to secure a healthy, productive, & resilient marine environment and to restore & protect biodiversity, we must permanently safeguard against industrial extraction such as long-line fishing or deep-sea mining.

Well-managed MPA’s can reverse the effects of overfishing, strengthen fragile coral communities and protect the over 3.5 billion people who live in coastal areas from rising sea levels and strengthening storm systems. Today, <3% of the global ocean is protected in MPA’s that have strong enough regulations to safeguard biodiversity.

LEARN MORE about 30 by 30 ➙

SDG SPOTLIGHT:

GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER
TARGET 2: sustainably manage, protect, restore and strengthen the resilience of marine & coastal ecosystems to achieve healthy & productive oceans and to avoid significant adverse impacts.

How are you impacting coastal ecosystems?

Eutrophication:
- Are you allowing unfiltered or untreated run-off from land? Are you increasing the growth of plant nutrients in lakes or other bodies of water?
Plastic Debris:
- Are you contributing to plastic detritus that may be broken down by wind, sun or tidal effects?
Fisheries:
- Are you contributing to overfishing? Do you ensure proper management of coastal & freshwater habitats?
Travel & Tourism:
- Is marine traffic affecting migratory patterns? Is litter & waste properly managed? Is overcrowding decreasing the effectiveness of natural ecosystems?

Create comprehensive strategies with AFFIRMATIVE ➙

IMPACT TIP:
STOP MICRO-WASTING:

Plastic debris <5mm in length are classified as microplastics. Microbeads are <5mm before being broken down while microfibres are broken down by force. 35% of oceanic microfibres come from clothing. Here are some ways to cut back your microfibre contribution:

Look for natural fibres in your clothing rather than synthetic textiles such as polyester.
Turn down the heat and don’t spin dry! Water in combination with heat weakens the yarn resulting in much more plastic ending up in our oceans.
Skip the spin cycle where lots of friction happens or at least reduce rpm (rotation per minute) to protect your clothes and the environment.
Limit mechanical forces that break down fibres in the washing machine. Separate textiles with a hard surface from those with a soft surface (i.e. don’t wash your shoes with fabrics).
Decrease friction from abrasives that break down fibres in your wash. Powder detergents often contains mineral abrasives. Look for a detergent with a neutral ph-value and without bleach as these also affect the fibre construction.

Learn more about Microplastics ➙

WHAT’S IT MATTER?

Ocean acidification

What is ocean acidification?
As the concentration of atmospheric carbon increases, so too does the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean. Unfortunately, the resultant chemical reaction changes the chemistry and reduces the pH level of the seawater. Ocean acidity has increased by 26% since 1850; a rate of change roughly 10x faster than any time in the last 55 million years. As ocean acidification increases, the ocean’s capacity to absorb CO2 decreases, rendering it less effective in moderating climate change.

How does acidification affect marine organisms?
Carbonate ions are an important building block of structures such as sea shells, coral skeletons and calcareous plankton. Certain fish's ability to detect predators can also be decreased in more acidic waters. Ocean acidification may cause coral reef structures to erode more quickly than they can be rebuilt and may severely impact their ability to recover at all. The long-term viability of these ecosystems affects an estimated 1 million+ dependent species. When organisms are at risk it may affect the entire food web.

How does ocean acidification affect humans?
Many economies are dependent on fish & shellfish and more than a billion people worldwide rely on food from the ocean as their primary source of protein. Oyster farming is a >$100,000/year industry that researchers believe is being negatively impacted by ocean acidification (along with an increase in pathogens, low dissolved oxygen and episodic inflow of freshwater all caused by human influence). Fisheries and natural ecosystems are also being impacted by human-caused changes in coastal carbon cycles. Marine coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and coral reefs protect shorelines from the destructive action of storm surges & cyclones. Coral reefs provide significant tourism opportunities worldwide. The Great Barrier Reef attracts close to 2 million visitors annually and generates >$5.4 billion to the Australian economy. Despite ecological, biological and economic importance, accelerated research on ocean acidification is needed to support sound political decision making.

How can we manage ocean acidification?
We must implement actions that will interrupt, as well as prepare for, the adverse effects of ocean acidification. From the development of sustainable fisheries and appropriate management of natural habitats, to establishing & maintaining Marine Protected Areas. New technologies are being developed to forecast changes in pH & monitor improvements in water quality and stricter regulation is being implemented to enhance localized sources of runoff & pollutants. Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions is the ultimate method to mitigate ocean acidification.

Create an emissions reduction strategy ➙