Ocean Optimism
Back on August 10th, Blue Carbon was spotlighted as the solution of the day and discussed the important role the oceans have in limiting climate change. Today’s spotlight will be an optimistic approach on the successes of the ocean that most people are unaware of. We must not forget for a second that our oceans are under deep threat to mass extinction and ocean acidification, just to name a few. Scientists say, we have about one decade to help reverse the wrong and advance the right! Please have a look at this great article that talks about Seven Reasons to Be Optimistic About the World’s Oceans!
I had no idea that the U.S., E.U., China and other countries subsidize $35 BILLION each year to support high sea fishing, where there are no fishing regulations. Without these subsidies illegal fishing operations would be unable to turn a profit. Negotiations with the World Trade Organization and reducing subsidies would be very beneficial to the oceans!
Restoring existing mangroves forest and planting new ones around the world are not the only important sustainable solution. All around the U.S. and E.U. oyster farms and salt marshes are being restored. They are implemented to build coastal resiliency against storm surge allowing for the fisheries to rebuild themselves to spawn fish, clean the water and sequester carbon!
The winds that travel across the ocean’s surface is being harnessed at a capacity like never before, allowing for a cleaner energy solution to reduce our deep dependence on fossil fuels. In this article, there is a graph that depicts global offshore wind expenditure. In 2020, $42 BILLION was spent globally on the production and implementation of offshore wind. This number is estimated to triple by 2030 to approximately $146 BILLION. This is great news!
The progress of these few solutions I touch on in this blog bring me great optimism. This allows me to stay focused and engage in action. Everybody has a role to play in helping to reverse climate change. There is no silver bullet that will solve this global problem. We must educate ourselves then talk to our friends and families. Then we can all jump into action together!