In this post, I’d like to tell you what I know about water. I’ll start by explaining the basics, and then we can further “dive” into it. Water accounts for an estimated 70% of our Earth and ourselves.- 71% and 65% if we’re being specific. Also, an estimated 80% of our carbon cycle passes through the oceans, and in the preceding 60 years it has absorbed 93% of excess heat from greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere. In total, there is an estimated 38,000 gigatonnes of carbon in the oceans. The water in our ocean can be found:
Pacific Ocean: 52%
Atlantic Ocean: 25%
Indian Ocean: 20%
Antarctic Ocean: 5%
Arctic: 1.2%.
Also, there are levels to this:
Epipelagic
Mesopelagic
Bathypelagic
Abyssopelagic
Basin
Hadopelagic.
We’re gonna stay on the surface right now - but as we go on I’ll explain the significance of these regarding climate and species. Without our greatest resources, we simply would not know our lives as it is today. It is but channels, rivers, and oceans that allowed us the progression, integration, and society we know today. For our good and bad, it is the accessibility of this great guardian that permitted us these possibilities. The Sumerians (modern-day Iraq), 4000 BCE, patented our earliest civilization and relied heavily on the proximity to the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Our earliest revolution, agriculture, challenged us to harness our understanding of rain for longevity, supply, and survival (Harare, 2011). It is these same waters and routes that allowed their expanse and invited their opposers’ influence and integration until six thousand years of the cycle brought us here. It’s the ocean that allows us to enjoy such an integrated society, with shared goals and values.
In the current day, 40% of the global population- an estimated three billion- live within 100 kilometres/62 miles of the coast. This accounts for all continents and 133 countries. Despite the unimaginable and vast cultural differences, our common reliance on transport, food, opportunity, and livelihood suggests a common admiration and respect. Billions of lives, alliances, stories of pain, resilience, and adaptation would not have occurred without the boundless seas that allowed us routes of access to the new world.
Alas, we aren’t the only inhabitants of this rock. We may not ever know the number of species in our oceans but we do know that there are at least 240,000, and we theorise that 94% of all species on Earth are aquatic. As well as a home for these species, water plays a significant role in our Earth’s cooling systems. As we discussed in post 2, Global Warming, every system plays a role in regulating temperatures that can either make or break our chances of a livable future. As the majority, its responsibility is to absorb the Sun’s rays that ultimately warm our oceans- causing the ripple effect of global warming’s grip on society.
As of right now, there are countries in critical climate change-related endangerment. Particularly, small island developing nations (SIDs) in the Pacific Ocean such as Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu already face a national crisis. In the current trajectory, these countries are set to be submerged before the turn of the century. By 2050 it is anticipated an upward of 300 million climate refugees, a population that surpasses that of all countries but 7 (Wallace-Wells, 2019). While it’s easy to believe this as tomorrow’s problem, think of where you’d like to be in 27 years…wouldn’t it be a bummer if environmental neglect was the sole reason you couldn't do that? So, let’s dive in.
Climate Change in the seas and on the coasts
We’ve spoken about science in a previous post, but how does it affect the Ocean in particular? Starting from the top literally-, let’s touch on the ice caps. As per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control (IPCC) report- an in-depth STEM-based report on climate change- the Arctic has warmed more than twice the global rate in the past 50 years, representing the weakening of two of our global systems: Water and Ice.
The Ice-Albedo feedback cycle is the relationship between the Sun’s rays and our ice caps. The surface protects us from the brunt of the heat by reflecting rays into the atmosphere. In “regular” conditions, the frozen seawater blanket follows patterns with seasons- more surface frozen in colder months and vice versa. However, as water temperatures increase. less ice = less reflection (Hancock, WWF). As ice melts into the ocean, the changing content of our ice caps leads to rises in the seas’ level and temperature which in turn creates the need for many species to migrate, thus unbalancing systems that we have relied on in sustenance and livelihood.
The increase in Co2 in our oceans - otherwise known as acidity causes a drop of hydrogen atoms as needed to support ecosystems. The loss of necessary minerals causes the deterioration of calcium-based structures and species such as coral. Coral reefs are found throughout our oceans and serve as a home habitat for 25% of all marine life. As well as being essential to the species they host, their economic benefits to countries can generate billions of revenue for their local economies through tourism and commercial fishing. Oftentimes in smaller islands, these reefs are the sole providers of income and food. As per the UN’s Small Island Developing Nations report, reefs can be up to 20% of a country’s income.
Increases in microplastics and other non-biodegradable materials in our ocean have led to the formation of several trash gyres, per our currents. The amassed microplastics in the ocean absorb further heat, converting this into greenhouse gases. Microplastics make their way to the ocean through the products consumed and improperly disposed of, and in many cases, companies intentionally produce them in replacement of natural ingredients. The largest of these, the Great Pacific garbage patch, spans the distance of the Pacific Ocean from the coast of Japan to the coast of California.
We’re not so different, you and I.
For examples, we can look at the case of two countries in the Pacific: Japan, and Fiji. While both contrasting societies in technological advancements and cultural impact, migration of species in the Pacific is a problem that plagues them both with trickle-down effects. Despite Japanese ethos and proven track record in solutions-oriented thinking, they find themselves facing scarcity in access to salmon, and other fish populations that have become namestake in their cuisine. The reduction in fish populations around Japan’s immediate shores has led to the accumulated loss of sustenance and livelihood. While inflating the price of what has become staple everyday foods. Fiji meanwhile, finds themselves in the precarious position of lacking the resources to even supply ingredients for their national dish. For that, they import from New Zealand and Australia (Lockwood, 2021).
Villains to the sea:
Of course, everything we do as a unit affects our systems. The flights and drives we take, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat. One can be inclined to not correlate these with direct effects on the oceans, but in this, I’ll focus solely on more direct assailants to our seas.
The dominant industry: the Sith, the Exxons, Shells, British Petroleums (BP), Repsols, Amocos, Gazproms, state-owned oil reserves attached to passports, and co. In many cases, the billionaire class that employs these tools of instant wealth and long-term disaster engages in dishonest tactics to uphold the status quo. As of 2022, there are 231 off-shore drilling rigs owned and operated by the aforementioned. Offshore drilling accounts for up to 15% of U.S. crude oil reserves and is conducted within 200 miles of the coastal mainland’s “economic zone” (Hu, 2023). These rigs can cause detrimental damage to the ocean floors and biodiversity as seen in BP’s 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, 66 miles off the coast of Louisiana, U.S. The “Deepwater Horizon oil spill” saw millions of barrels of oil spilled into the sea, leading to the mutations, cardiac arrests, and stillbirths of marine species, and birds, as well as tainting of groundwater found in the surrounding countries’ coasts. A decade later, the effects of this catastrophe are still being reported, with the appearance of frequent tar balls washing up on Southern U.S. shores. The long-term damage of this is still yet to be seen. It should be mentioned that the drilling and production of oil can also be accounted for in many products we consume daily: bags, single-use utensils, household items, and products, and for the packaging and transport of most items we rely on.
If the risk of these rigs is not yet evident enough, of all commercial ships traversing our seas, an estimated 40% are transporting coal, oil, gas, and biomass fuels. Yes, we are using the harmful thing to transport the harmful thing, encouraging a negative feedback loop- go figure.
Outside of the energy industry, the fashion and food industry through their scopes 2 (bought emissions) and 3 (beyond burnt and bought) emissions. Most articles of clothing are made up of synthetics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic which are 60% materials used. As they are washed, and rewashed they release microfibers that find their way to our channels and seas. Fast fashion companies not only produce unsustainable articles, but they do so with unsustainable packaging. They contribute to 10% of the annual global carbon emissions. Due to the cheap qualities of these products, up to 35k garbage trucks (equivalent) of textiles are disposed of or burnt every day. Water usage accounts for 4% of all freshwater withdrawals, and dying fabrics are the second largest polluter of our water sources. Despite this, it is anticipated fast fashion’s emissions are only set to continue growing by .5-fold by the turn of the decade. Due to our tides, this waste is dispersed and can affect life even in areas where they did not initially fish.
While it’s fashionable to advocate cleaner clothing trends, we must now address a larger culprit. The majority of waste in our oceans is due to malpractices from the fishing industry. An estimated 640,000 tonnes of waste is annually discarded by industrial trawlers and fishing boats (Laville, 2019). As well as the chemical changes to the ecosystem, they are responsible for the deaths of thousands of marine species that either mistake them for food or get caught in nets. Ghost gear, as they are termed, is the product of illegal fishing vessels as well as overcrowded designated fisheries.
What’s being done?
Before you feel submerged in aquatic-induced anxiety, I remind you that in the face of adversity, we’ve harnessed the power of the seas to uphold our innovations: the Dutch who tamed the beast that surrounds Amsterdam, the hundreds of thousands in Nigeria’s Mokoko or Italy’s Venice, and the Bajau people of South-East Asia who spend five hours per day underwater. For as many problems in our ocean as we encounter, there are as many scientists, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs who are working on different solutions to combat this crisis.
Protective solutions include repopulation efforts for calcified species, reducing waste into the ocean, an increase in shaded surfaces, and of course the mass movement toward renewable energy. By protecting our oceans we can maintain the necessary capacity to uphold our systems.
Recalcification efforts.
Oyster farming.
As stated, calcified animals (oysters, mussels, clams, and urchins) contribute to their ecosystems due to the life cycle of their exoskeletons (Drummond, Steele). Their shells contain high-magnesium calcite, which can be modified for the restoration of coral reefs and other structures that support other species. As well as the benefits of their shells, oysters particularly are water purifiers, regulating particles in the ocean- a standard market-sized oyster can purify up to 45 gallons of water daily. Discarded oyster shells can also be upcycled into shell beds for oyster nurseries, known as “cultch”. Organisations such as the Mass Oyster Project conduct projects in the collection of shells for coastal restoration projects.
Coral shading, and restructure.
To reduce the stress of excess heat on coral reefs, an increase in shading and cooling efforts has been noted. By increasing shaded surfaces above coral reefs, we can maintain their presence as well as the biodiversity they host. These methods include the use of artificial clouds, mist, and fog. Organisations such as the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) conduct research in these endeavours and their early suggestions imply that they can be used for both small and large sites, for example, the Great Barrier Reef. Eco-engineering may be commonplace in terrestrial efforts but these strides in marine protection are promising.
Fishing quotas and zones.
As the population of species reduces, ultimately affecting the livelihood of those who rely on them, there have been countries that have implemented fishery and aquaculture regulations. Industrial fishing contributes to the reduction of biodiversity. While the two behaviours are seen as separate, they both contribute to the bigger problem at hand. By maintaining a healthy population of biodiversity in the ocean, larger numbers can be carbon sequestered at more efficient rates. Of course, there are other benefits to regulating the types of fish we consume, as is related to energy converted along the food chain line- but this is not my forte. Contact Dr. Emma Farmer of Hofstra’s Geology department if you’d like to know more.
The UN has advocated for higher global protection by its member states, with a call for up to 30% of our oceans to be treated as sanctuaries.
Plastic removal and sorting.
Organisations such as the Ocean Cleanup as well as like-minded STEM-based solutions are being proposed. OC has proposed artificial coastlines that hope to direct the garbage toward a concentrated area. Across our coasts, countless committees and groups conduct beach clean-ups to gather plastic waste that returns to the shore. To get involved, start with your university organisation or do research in your neighbourhood to see upcoming events. If you’re a Hofstra reader, join us at LEAF, or if you’re a New Yorker, feel free to reach out!
Gathering waste is one thing, but giving it new life is another. Varying in coastal communities, there are organisations responsible for sorting trash in hopes of reusing certain materials. Though exhausting work, it is an admirable and responsible way to extend the life of materials.
Transport
As connected as we are, we do need the ability to transport goods from one port to the other, often on the side of the rock. Norwegian company, Yara, unveiled the world’s first (soon to be) crewless and zero-footprint cargo vessel in the world, the Birkeland (Beshayes, 2021). Its first route from the seaport Porsgunn to Brevik, transporting containers of fertilizer and reducing the need for 40k truck journeys.
While this can and should be the norm going forward, it should be stated that there is a need for autonomous operating regulations before this is commonplace. The potential of this ship suggests that for every gas-operated vessel we retire of a similar size, we can reduce nearly 700 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Inspired? What are you willing to do?
In the fight for a just and livable ocean for all, there are everyday changes that if implemented, masses can impact tangible change. As we discussed briefly, and as is available in another post, we discussed the food industry’s use of water. By reducing our intake of red and white meat, we can reduce our carbon footprint and use of unnecessary water due to reductions in our scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
Seafood consumption can be a sound way to reduce your carbon footprint, but it must be done properly. Species are depleting due to unsustainable fishing practices in the ocean and on farms. Granted the diet with the least impact is vegan, but I understand why some see that as extreme. If you are interested in a pescatarian compromise, some companies farm their supply with a minimum carbon footprint from their ponds to my door. But no one says to give up meat? In some cases, households practise meatless Mondays - in these cases, a good challenge would be the inverse. By reducing your meat intake from 5-6 days a week to 1-3, you can reduce your carbon footprint.
Wearing the damage?
As the second biggest assailant to our planet, the fashion industry contributes up to 500,000 tonnes of microplastics in our oceans annually. To specifically reduce our footprint in the ocean, we can adopt style and shopping practices that deter the flow of microplastics to our ocean instead of encouraging it.
Avoid:
Most fast fashion. Companies such as “Eternal 23” and “Sara” employ the use of unsustainable textiles for their products, and a lot of plastic to transport them. In all scopes, these companies contribute to the damage- and their pieces don’t even last long.
Support:
Labels that say things such as “Fairtrade certified.”
Upcycled and thrifting items.
Love the Ocean, for it loves us.
Spend time with the ocean, and fortify your love for it. As stated, 3 billion people live within a 100-mile proximity of our country’s coasts. This is roughly 40% of the global populace. As regurgitated in many mental health and nature publications, spending time outdoors improves our dopamine and serotonin levels, leading to improved mental health and by extension appreciation for the nature around us. If it’s doable to you, spend time on our coasts: sunbathe (use sunscreen btw), swim, dive, surf, wake, read by the water. Scuba diving in particular, allows for opportunities for gathering trash while exploring the beauty of the underwater world. If proximity is a factor, it’s also worth the trip for perspective. For ways to reduce your carbon footprint in general, I’d refer you to the readings cited, or other articles linked below!
In conclusion, this is one of our major systems against global warming. It is affected by rising temperatures due to the melting of ice caps that lead to sea level rise, and temperature rise. The materials we consume and discard can leave lasting effects, but alternatives exist for them all. These rises lead to the depletion of resources, habitat for species, and a loss of coastal lands and in many cases entire countries. To reduce the impact we must first educate ourselves on these matters, and reduce our carbon footprint.
Citations
“94% of the Earth’s Living Species are Aquatic” Geoscience, Energy, and Maritime Division.
“How Many Species Live In the Ocean?” Ocean Service, NOA. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ocean-species.html
“Meet the Bajou sea nomads” Big Think.
“Six Ways Loss of Arctic Ice Impacts Everyone” World Wide Fund.
“Will there be more plastic than fish in the sea?” World Wide Fund
“What good is a clam?” Dan the Clam Man. https://dantheclamman.blog/2019/09/04/what-good-is-a-clam/
Botteleir-Depois, Amelie. “As Oceans Rise, Are Some Nations Doomed?” Phys Org. https://phys.org/news/2022-10-oceans-nations-doomed.html#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20cited,creating%20600%2C000%20stateless%20climate%20refugees.
Lockwood, Devi “1,001 Voices on Climate Change”. 2021.
Herger, Mario. “Almost 40% of All Ship Cargo is Oil, Coal, and Gas” The Last Driver Licence Holder. 2022. https://thelastdriverlicenseholder.com/2022/01/12/almost-40-of-all-ship-cargoes-are-oil-coal-and-gas/#:~:text=And%20yes%2C%20the%20headline%20gave,a%20small%20extent%20biomass%20fuels.
“Microplastics from Textiles” European Environment Agency https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/microplastics-from-textiles-towards-a#:~:text=Between%20200%2C000%20and%20500%2C000%20tonnes,global%20marine%20environment%20each%20year.
Nolan, Amber. “Stopping Fast Fashion: How Consumers Can Break the Addiction to Cheap Clothes” Green Matters. 2023. https://www.greenmatters.com/style/how-to-stop-fast-fashion
“Great Pacific Garbage Patch” National Geographic. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
Drummond, Benjamin. Steele, Sara.. “Facing Climate Change: Oysters.” Ocean Smithsonian. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/facing-climate-change-oyster-farmers
“Farming Oysters” Mass Oysters. https://massoyster.org/oyster-information/farming
“Cooling and Shading” GBR Restoration. https://gbrrestoration.org/program/cooling-and-shading/
“Climate Change and Fishing” Marine Stewardship Council. https://www.msc.org/what-we-are-doing/oceans-at-risk/climate-change-and-fishing
“Fighting for a Plastic-Free Ocean” Ocean Conservancy. https://takeaction.oceanconservancy.org/page/122582/action/1?ea.tracking.id=23FPBFTKXX&utm_medium=PaidSocial&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=Trash&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj5mpBhDJARIsAOVjBdr_Cx1g7RRKGkVgoSgrPyN4dWg21biDovcXKpKmzUrDVZ6gx5wrb4IaArdxEALw_wcB
“The Largest Clean Up in History” The Ocean Clean Up. https://theoceancleanup.com/#:~:text=The%20Ocean%20Cleanup%20is%20a,t%20go%20away%20by%20itself.
“How does Overfishing Make Climate Change Worse?” Greenpeace. 2020. https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/story/how-does-overfishing-make-climate-change-worse/
“Basic Information about Coral Reefs” Environmental Protection Agency https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs/basic-information-about-coral-reefs#:~:text=An%20estimated%2025%20percent%20of,point%20in%20their%20life%20cycle.
“Small Island Developing States in Numbers” https://www.un.org/ohrlls/sites/www.un.org.ohrlls/files/sids_in_numbers_oceans_2020.pdf
“What are Microplastics” National Ocean Service. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html#:~:text=Plastic%20is%20the%20most%20prevalent
“Number of Oil and Offshore Rigs Worldwide”. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1128408/number-of-global-oil-rigs-by-type/#:~:text=Global%20number%20of%20onshore%20and%20offshore%20oil%20rigs%202010%2D2022&text=Most%20of%20the%20world's%20oil,compared%20with%20231%20offshore%20rigs.
“Offshore Drilling 101 ” Publication.. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/offshore-drilling-101
Pallardy, Richard. “Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill” Brittanica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Deepwater-Horizon-oil-spill
“Environmental Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill” National Environmental Trainers. https://www.natlenvtrainers.com/blog/article/the-environmental-impact-of-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20pockets%20of%20methane%20led,that%20number%20spiked%20to%2020%25.
“What is Fast Fashion? And How is it Damaging the Planet” Zurich. https://www.zurich.com/en/media/magazine/2021/fast-fashion-5-practical-ways-to-cut-the-carbon-from-your-closet#:~:text=It%20may%20surprise%20you%20to,than%2050%20percent%20by%202030.
“Dumped Fishing Gear is the Biggest Plastic Polluter in the Ocean ” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/06/dumped-fishing-gear-is-biggest-plastic-polluter-in-ocean-finds-report
Deshayes, Pierre-Henry “First Electric Autonomous Cargo Ship Launched in Norway.” Tech Explore. 2021. https://techxplore.com/news/2021-11-electric-autonomous-cargo-ship-norway.html
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