If you’ve ever dropped below the water’s surface and experienced the vast beauty the ocean has to offer, you’ll agree with us when we say: The ocean is important.
On this Earth Day, join us and our conservation partners Earth Echo and Sea Legacy and support 30x30, a global initiative spearheaded by Ocean Unite working to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
We have the power to return the oceans back to abundance and reverse the impact of climate change.
Our #LOVE30x30 vision:
Our Ocean is essential to life on earth. All of us, directly and indirectly, depend on the Ocean- from the air we breathe, the food we eat, to jobs and livelihoods.
If we take care of the ocean it will take care of us. Although the Ocean covers 70% of the Earth’s surface it is still woefully under protected, with only 2% strongly protected from destructive or extractive activities. The science is telling us we need to do much more to ensure a healthy Ocean for future generations.
Strong protection of at least 30% of the Ocean is needed by 2030 (30×30) to build the resilience of ocean life to adapt to climate change and buffer it from other threats like overfishing.
We all need to work together to supercharge ocean protection and make 30×30 a reality through action on the water, on the streets and in the corridors of power.
Strong Protection of 30% of the Ocean means:
The global Ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains 97% of Earth’s water.
It is home to 80% of all life on the planet.
It plays a critical role maintaining our climate and has absorbed 30% of the excess carbon dioxide emissions emitted into the atmosphere and over 90% of the heat from global warming.
It is responsible for every 2nd breath we take.
It is the largest provider of protein in the world and it sustains 3 billion people who depend on seafood as their primary source of protein.
It is responsible for spurring trade, transport and communication, and it supports the economic viability of entire countries and regions.
It generates about $1.5 trillion USD in global economic activity and supports more than $39 billion annually from maritime and tourism activities alone.
What would strong protection of 30% of the Ocean by 2030 achieve?
Healthier ecosystems and species that are more resilient and better able to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change.
Climate change mitigation through protection of coastal habitats like mangroves, seagrass beds and salt marshes that are vital for the sequestering and storing carbon.
Reduction of ocean risk from extreme weather events, like storm surges, through protection of coastal natural defense systems, like reefs and mangroves.
Livelihoods and food for all.
More and bigger fish and greater species diversity.
Safe havens for threatened species like whales, sharks, rays and turtles.
High financial returns –estimated economic benefit of protecting 30% of the ocean is between US$490 to $920 billion by 2050, and would create 150,000 to 180,000 full-time jobs.
