Oceans and Coasts

The time has come when we need to tackle the effects of climate change on the ocean which is sadly been in danger. The global sea surface temperature has hit a new record, only around 8% of the ocean is legally protected, and about a third of the world’s monitored fisheries are overfished. Globally, we have already lost half of our mangroves and half of all coral reefs. And pollution is increasing: 80% of global sewage flowing into our ocean untreated, and more than eight million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. Now is the time to tackle these threats—and not one at a time, but holistically. That means that we need to protect and restore more of the ocean, manage activity sustainably, and reduce the impacts of climate change. Mentioned below are some steps which can be possibly taken for bluer future:

1. Fishing sustainably

Overfishing, habitat destruction and trapping of non-target species are major threats to both ocean life and our global food supply. New initiatives like the cutting-edge FishPath management approach and establishment of the Pacific Island Tuna company show new ways to manage marine resources.?Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to undermine efforts to manage fish populations and cause significant economic `losses.

2. Working with communities

Indigenous peoples and local communities are essential custodians of many of the world’s remaining natural landscapes and critical coastal areas. Communities are leading the way—whether it’s a women-led octopus fishery in Kenya, endangered leatherback sea turtle conservation in the Solomon Islands (also women-led) or a community-led fishery in Peru that has brought their fishing stocks back from collapse.

3. Conserving and restoring coral reefs

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the world’s surface area, yet they support 25% of all marine life. They are also critically important for people, supporting fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection—reefs can absorb up to 97% of a wave’s energy.

4. Tackling climate change

Coastal habitats like mangroves, seagrasses and tidal marshes punch above their weight when it comes to storing huge amounts of carbon —affectionately called “blue carbon”. Their destruction releases greenhouse gases back into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. Conserving and restoring these habitats is critical to maintain their sequestered carbon and ensure it is not released back into the atmosphere.

5. Using science, advocacy and education

To ensure our conservation work is scalable and able to create the transformational change needed for both people and nature, we need policy that is evidence-based and grounded in science. Education is also a key, and NatureLab programs will also help educating students of all ages—and their parents—about subjects like coastal frontline communities and climate justice.

6. Adapting to Change

With temperatures warming, populations growing, and our planet constantly changing, we must be prepared to adapt if we want to preserve life in the ocean. Healthy, ocean habitats—from reefs and seagrass to marshes and dunes—help defend us from climate impacts and create more resilient communities.

7. Leveraging long-term financing for large scale protection

The ocean covers 2/3 of the planet, but it receives only a fraction of the funding dedicated to protecting nature. Take a trip around projects from Gabon to Belize to Barbados to The Seychelles, where innovative finance and conservation science and planning is helping governments and communities create and effectively manage protected areas, or learn about the first-ever insurance policies protecting coral reefs in Mexico and Hawaii.