The Oceanic Crisis
What would the world look like without fish?
Weird question, I know. But it’s something that we’re starting to have to consider, with climate change drastically affecting oceans and their ecosystems.
I read this article by the New York Times to understand better just what’s going on in our oceans.
Oceans are warming and fish populations are drastically decreasing, putting immense pressure on the seafood industry. The New York Times analyzed this issue stating,
“Fish populations are declining as oceans warm, putting a key source of food and income at risk for millions of people around the world, according to new research...Fish make up 17 percent of the global population’s intake of animal protein, and as much as 70 percent for people living in some coastal and island countries, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations”.
In the ecosystems of East Asia, fish populations have declined by 35% in only 80 years.
That number may not seem like a lot over the course of 80 years, but it’s exponentially increasing-- and it’s parallel with the increase in global temperatures. 93% of the heat that is trapped by greenhouse gases are absorbed by the ocean, meaning that almost all our man-made poison is killing our oceans and their ecosystems.
If it isn’t bad enough that humans are mindlessly killing our home and it’s inhabitants, it also affects us negatively too. We’re killing our food supply, which accounts for a huge portion of the world’s protein intake. In some countries, fish are their only source of protein. To add to the list of consequences, climate change is affecting other animals that don’t live in the ocean by creating unliveable environments. Glaciers are melting, resulting in sea-level-rise. Extreme weather and natural disasters are increasing and are expected to only become more common.
Essentially, we’re not treating the Earth the way we should and we’re changing it’s existence. Soon, we’ll create unliveable situations for ourselves.
So, what needs to change?
Some companies are already taking some of the right steps, turning their CSR “green” according to this Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2018/09/14/corporate-social-responsibility-is-turning-green-and-thats-a-good-thing/#3f258b6a4dca
In 2018, Lyft announced that it’s investing millions of dollars towards carbon neutrality, through the acquisition of supervised compensatory credits (investments in activities that offset the company’s emissions), making its fleet electric, using non-emissions vehicles such as bicycles or electric scooters and encouraging use of public transport”. Additionally, IKEA recently announced again in 2018 that it is making all of its delivery vans electric by 2025.
Many companies are taking the right steps, and I believe they will continue to do so. Awareness is growing and it’s in our best interest to do something, and to do something fast.
As an individual though, it’s important to do as much as you can. Here are some simple things you can do to combat climate change:
Commute green. Carpool! Ride a bike! Take the bus! Transportation accounts for a huge amount of carbon emissions.
Use energy wisely. Turn off lights when you leave the room, unplug electronics when you’re not using them, hang dry your clothes every other wash! Conserve as much energy as you can and save money at the same time. It’s crazy how much unnecessary energy we use up just as one person.
Avoid plastic! It’s so hard in a world where we’re surrounded by plastic, but even making an effort to reduce plastic consumption can make all the difference. When you go to the grocery store, don’t waste a bag on your veggies since you’re going to wash them anyways! Bring reusable bags, use reusable cups and straws. Avoid buying foods with plastic packaging and you might realize you’re saving the earth and eating cleaner.
Listen and learn. Pay attention to what is going on around you, and care. Educate those who don’t listen or care. We only get one Earth, so let’s take care of her.
Of course, there are TONS of ways to combat climate change, and if you’re into making bigger efforts to do so, Google is a great resource for that.
For now, what’s a goal you could make this month for reducing your carbon footprint?
Xo,
Sarah