Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water - Tracey Rogers

Summary

The video script by Professor Tracey Rogers from UNSW addresses the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14, highlighting the dire state of marine life due to pollution, climate change, and overfishing. It emphasizes the alarming rate of plastic waste entering oceans, the threat to marine species, and the urgent need for sustainable practices like reducing single-use plastics, promoting recycling, and choosing seafood with Marine Stewardship Certification. The script calls for collective action to conserve and sustainably use our oceans, emphasizing their importance to biodiversity and human society.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 focuses on conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resources.
• 😨 Marine species, habitats, and ecosystems have experienced catastrophic declines, with climate change exacerbating these issues.
• 🌐 A significant portion of the coastal ocean is affected by pollution, decay, and oxygen depletion.
• 🔥 Ocean warming is threatening marine life, with many species at risk of extinction.
• 👩‍🏫 Tracey Rogers, a Professor of Ecology, highlights the urgency of reducing marine pollution.
• 🚮 Approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, equivalent to 16 shopping bags per meter of coastline.
• 📈 The rate of plastic pollution in oceans is increasing, with predictions for 2025 indicating a significant rise.
• 🐢 Many marine animals, including turtles, seals, fish, and whales, mistake plastic for food, leading to entanglement or ingestion.
• 📊 At least 690 marine species have been documented to encounter plastic debris, with 17% being vulnerable or endangered.
• 🌍 The source of marine plastic is global, with darker colors on the map indicating more mismanaged plastic.
• 🛍️ Reducing single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and water bottles, is a simple and effective way to combat marine pollution.
• 🚰 Bottled water consumption is excessive, and using reusable bottles can significantly reduce plastic waste.
• 🔄 Only about 40% of plastic bottles are recycled, with the rest potentially ending up in landfills or waterways.
• 🦈 Sustainable fishing practices are crucial, with overfishing affecting at least one third of fish stocks.
• 🏷️ Look for Marine Stewardship Certification (MSC) labels when purchasing seafood to ensure it comes from sustainable sources.
• 🌱 Achieving SDG 14 is possible, but it requires rebuilding marine life and recognizing the importance of marine ecosystems to society.

Q & A

What is the primary aim of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14?

The primary aim of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

What are some of the major threats to marine life mentioned in the script?

Major threats to marine life mentioned include catastrophic declines in species, habitats, and ecosystems, the impact of climate change on ocean productivity and biodiversity, pollution, putrefaction, and oxygen depletion in coastal oceans, and the stress caused by ocean warming leading to the threat of extinction for many marine species.

How much plastic enters the oceans annually, and what does this equate to per meter of coastline?

Around 8 million metric tons of plastic enters the oceans each year, which is equivalent to 16 shopping bags full of plastic for every meter of coastline, excluding Antarctica.

What is the predicted increase in plastic waste in the ocean by 2025?

By 2025, it is predicted that we will be putting enough plastic in the ocean each year to cover 5% of the Earth's entire surface in cling wrap.

Which marine animals are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, and what percentage of them are at risk?

Seabirds such as albatross, gannets, shearwaters, and petrels are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. At least 17% of the marine species that have encountered plastic are vulnerable, listed as either near threatened, endangered, or critically endangered.

What is the significance of the color in the figure representing mismanaged plastic by country?

The darker the color in the figure, the more mismanaged plastic that country has, indicating a higher likelihood that their plastic will end up in the ocean.

What is the Great Pacific garbage patch, and are there similar formations in other oceans?

The Great Pacific garbage patch is a large accumulation of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean. Similar garbage patches exist in each of the Earth's ocean basins.

How can individuals reduce their use of single-use plastics in their weekly shop?

Individuals can reduce their use of single-use plastics by replacing plastic bags with reusable bags, using their own reusable water bottles instead of buying bottled water, and being mindful of other single-use plastic packaging for groceries.

What percentage of plastic bottles are recycled, and what happens to the rest?

Only about 40% of plastic bottles are recycled. The rest end up in landfills or waterways, and discarded bottles take at least 1000 years to biodegrade, breaking down into microplastics.

What is ocean acidification, and how does it affect marine life?

Ocean acidification occurs when excess carbon dioxide from human activities dissolves into seawater, forming carbonic acid. This makes it difficult for marine creatures that use calcium carbonate to form their shells and skeletons, potentially disrupting the oceanic food web.

What is the impact of overfishing on fish stocks and marine habitats, and how can consumers contribute to sustainable fishing practices?

Overfishing has led to at least one third of fish stocks being overfished, and the loss of one third to half of vulnerable marine habitats. Consumers can contribute to sustainable fishing by choosing locally caught fish, checking labels for sustainable fishing practices, and looking for the Marine Stewardship Certification (MSC) tick on seafood products.

Why is it important to focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14, and what does it entail?

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 is important because it involves conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine ecosystems, which are vital life support systems. It requires rebuilding marine life populations, habitats, and ecosystems to ensure the continued delivery of benefits society receives from healthy oceans.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Marine Pollution and Its Impacts

The first paragraph discusses the alarming state of marine pollution, particularly the issue of plastic waste. It highlights the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use oceans and marine resources. The paragraph emphasizes the catastrophic decline of marine species and ecosystems due to pollution, climate change, and other human activities. The scale of plastic pollution is staggering, with 8 million metric tons entering the oceans annually, equivalent to 16 shopping bags of plastic per meter of coastline. The consequences for marine life are severe, with many species, including turtles, seals, fish, and whales, mistaking plastic for food or becoming entangled in it. The paragraph also touches on the global nature of the problem, with mismanaged plastic from all countries contributing to the issue. The Great Pacific garbage patch is mentioned as a well-known example of plastic accumulation in ocean gyres. The speaker, Tracey Rogers, a Professor of Ecology, calls for action to reduce marine pollution, suggesting that individual choices, such as using reusable bags and avoiding single-use plastics, can make a difference.

05:01

🐠 Sustainable Fishing and Ocean Acidification

The second paragraph delves into the challenges of sustainable fishing and the process of ocean acidification. It begins by explaining how the oceans have absorbed a significant portion of the excess carbon dioxide emissions, leading to the formation of carbonic acid. This increased acidity affects marine creatures' ability to form shells and skeletons from calcium carbonate, potentially disrupting the oceanic food web. The paragraph also addresses overfishing, noting that at least one third of fish stocks are overfished, and many marine habitats have been degraded. To combat these issues, the speaker suggests buying locally caught fish, checking labels for sustainable fishing practices, and looking for the Marine Stewardship Certification (MSC). The paragraph concludes with an optimistic view that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 is possible, emphasizing the need to rebuild marine life and ecosystems to ensure the health and biodiversity of the oceans.

Keywords

💡Sustainable Development Goal 14

Sustainable Development Goal 14, also known as SDG 14, is a part of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that specifically focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources. The video script emphasizes the importance of this goal in the context of the current state of marine ecosystems, which are facing significant challenges due to human activities. The goal is central to the video's theme of addressing marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and the need for sustainable practices.

💡Marine Pollution

Marine pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances, such as plastics and chemicals, into the marine environment. The script highlights the devastating impact of marine pollution, particularly plastic waste, on marine life and ecosystems. It mentions the staggering statistic of 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the oceans annually, illustrating the scale of the problem and its relevance to the video's theme of sustainable development and conservation.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is the long-term alteration in average weather patterns and is a significant factor affecting the oceans' productivity and biodiversity. The script points out that climate change is further undermining the health of marine ecosystems, which is a critical aspect of the video's discussion on the challenges faced in achieving SDG 14.

💡Ocean Gyres

Ocean gyres are large systems of rotating ocean currents that are central to the distribution of marine debris, including plastic waste. The script explains that plastic waste accumulates in these stationary areas within the gyres, leading to the formation of garbage patches, such as the Great Pacific garbage patch. This concept is vital to understanding how plastic pollution spreads across the globe and affects marine ecosystems.

💡Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics are disposable items designed to be used once before they are thrown away, such as plastic bags and water bottles. The script discusses the environmental impact of these items, which contribute significantly to marine pollution. It suggests alternatives to single-use plastics, like reusable bags and bottles, as part of the solution to reduce plastic waste in the oceans.

💡Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is the process by which the pH of ocean water decreases due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The script explains that this process affects marine creatures' ability to form shells and skeletons, which is crucial for the health of the entire oceanic food web. Ocean acidification is presented as another critical challenge to achieving SDG 14.

💡Marine Stewardship Certification (MSC)

The Marine Stewardship Certification is an international ecolabel that indicates seafood products come from sustainable fisheries. The script encourages consumers to look for the MSC label when purchasing seafood, ensuring that their choices support sustainable fishing practices and contribute to the conservation of marine life.

💡Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic less than 5mm in size, which are a result of the breakdown of larger plastic debris. The script mentions that discarded water bottles can take a thousand years to biodegrade, forming microplastics that can enter the food chain and water systems. This concept is important for understanding the long-term impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.

💡Overfishing

Overfishing is the practice of catching fish at a rate faster than they can reproduce, leading to a depletion of fish stocks. The script points out that at least one third of fish stocks are overfished, which is a significant threat to marine biodiversity and sustainable development. It calls for responsible fishing practices to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat, including the number of species and their genetic diversity. The script emphasizes the importance of conserving marine biodiversity, which is under threat due to pollution, climate change, and overfishing. Maintaining biodiversity is crucial for the health of marine ecosystems and the services they provide to society.

💡Sustainable Fishing

Sustainable fishing involves catching fish in a way that maintains fish populations and ecosystems for future generations. The script discusses the importance of sustainable fishing practices, such as buying locally caught fish and checking for certifications like the MSC label, to ensure that seafood consumption supports the health and sustainability of marine life.

Highlights

UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 focuses on conserving oceans and marine resources for sustainable development.

Many marine species, habitats, and ecosystems have experienced catastrophic declines due to climate change and pollution.

A significant fraction of the coastal ocean suffers from pollution, putrefaction, and oxygen depletion.

Warming oceans threaten marine species with extinction.

Tracey Rogers, a Professor of Ecology at UNSW, discusses the key targets for reducing marine pollution.

Around 8 million metric tons of plastic enter oceans annually, equivalent to 16 shopping bags per meter of coastline.

The rate of plastic entering the ocean is increasing, with predictions for 2025 indicating a significant environmental impact.

Approximately one-third of turtles globally have likely ingested plastic, and many marine animals mistake it for food.

At least 690 marine species have encountered plastic debris, with 17% being vulnerable or endangered.

Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion and entanglement.

Mismanaged plastic from all countries can end up in the ocean, contributing to pollution.

Ocean gyres are areas where stationary water accumulates plastic, forming garbage patches.

Reducing single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and water bottles, is a practical step towards mitigating ocean pollution.

Only 40% of plastic bottles are recycled, with the rest potentially ending up in landfills or waterways.

Discarded water bottles take at least 1000 years to biodegrade, breaking down into microplastics.

Ocean acidification, a result of increased CO2 absorption, affects marine creatures' ability to form shells and skeletons.

Sustainable fishing practices are crucial, with overfishing and habitat loss being significant issues.

Buying locally caught fish and checking for sustainable seafood labels, such as the Marine Stewardship Certification, supports sustainable fishing.

Achieving SDG 14 is possible through rebuilding marine life and ecosystems, which are vital for a healthy ocean.

Transcripts

The UN Sustainable Development Goal 14

aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans,

seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

So, how are we doing?

Many marine species, habitats and ecosystems

have suffered catastrophic declines

and climate change further undermines ocean productivity and biodiversity.

Did you know that a substantial fraction of the coastal ocean

suffers from pollution, putrefaction and oxygen depletion?

Our oceans are stressed by warming

and many marine species are threatened with extinction.

I’m Tracey Rogers and I’m a Professor of Ecology at UNSW

in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Let’s look at the first of the key targets

which is to reduce marine pollution.

Around 8 million metric tons of plastic enters our oceans each year.

This is equivalent to 16 shopping bags full of plastic

for every meter of coastline excluding Antarctica.

So, we’re not doing so good.

In fact, the rate at which plastic finds its way into our ocean

is increasing and by 2025 it’s predicted

that we will be putting enough plastic in the ocean

to cover 5% of the earth’s entire surface in cling wrap; that’s each year.

So, does it matter that there is so much plastic in the ocean?

Globally, about one third of all turtles

are likely to have eaten plastic in some form,

but lots of marine animals mistake plastic for food,

such as seals, fish, and whales.

At least 690 marine species

have been documented to have encountered with plastic marine debris.

Either they have eaten it or they’ve become entangled in it.

Of those species, at least 17% are vulnerable,

listed as either near threatened, endangered, or critically endangered.

Seabirds such as albatross, gannets, shearwaters,

and petrels are particularly vulnerable.

Unfortunately, many of these seabirds are already at risk.

So, where is this plastic coming from?

All over the world.

The darker the color of this figure,

the more mismanaged plastic that country has.

So, more likely their plastic will end up in the ocean.

Gold star for New Zealand, Namibia, Amman,

the Scandinavians, and the Canadians.

But it doesn’t matter who produces this marine plastic,

because once it’s in the ocean it travels in ocean gyres around the world.

Inside the gyres the water is stationary

and it’s here that plastics accumulate.

Over time, garbage patches form

and the most well known is the Great Pacific garbage patch,

but there is a garbage patch in each of our ocean basins.

What can we do about it?

How about your weekly shop?

The container your apples come in or the plastic bag that you put them in?

These are single use plastics.

So, how do I get out of the shop

without using any of these single use plastics?

First start, those plastic bags,

one trillion single use plastic bags made globally in 2019.

Replacing them with reusable bags is an easy start

and one we’re all embracing anyway.

Lots of countries have banned plastic bags already.

Rwanda did this back in 2008.

Bottled water; in Australia we use 118,000 tons

of single use water bottles every year, and that’s just Australia.

By the way, our tap water is fine,

often better tasting than the stuff you buy in a bottle,

unless you live in Adelaide,

or if you’re buying that lovely Norwegian water,

but you get my meaning.

So, replacing bottled water with your own reusable bottle,

and if councils provide water taps around town,

this easily eliminates another 200,000 tons of plastic every year.

All we need is a couple of public taps.

But managing our waste is also important.

Did you know that only about 40% of those plastic bottles are recycled?

The rest go to land fills or to our waterways.

A discarded water bottle will take at least 1000 years to biodegrade,

but that doesn’t mean it’s gone,

just that it’s broken down into thousands

and even millions of tiny pieces, into microplastics,

that can make their way into our food and water.

A second key target is to reduce ocean acidification.

So, what is ocean acidification?

As our activities have pushed more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,

lucky for us, a great deal of this extra carbon dioxide

has dissolved into seawater.

The oceans have been like a giant sponge,

absorbing up to 30, even 40% of our extra carbon emissions.

But what happens when this extra carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater?

Well, the carbon dioxide and water molecules reconfigure

and they make carbonic acid.

But many marine creatures use calcium carbonate

to make their shells and skeletons,

and in more acidic oceans they can’t do this,

they can’t make those shells properly.

Now, from blue whales to plankton, the oceanic food web is complex.

And although plankton are tiny,

they are vital for many of the species higher up in the food chain.

If these tiny plants and animals at the base of the food chain

can’t make their shells,

this will have a flowing effect

that will change the very composition of our oceans.

Another of the key targets is to fish sustainably.

Yet, at least one third of our fish stocks are over fished

and one third to half of vulnerable marine habitats have been lost.

What can we do?

Well, buying locally caught fish rather than imported fish,

this means not only can you find out where your seafood was caught,

whether it was caught in a sustainable fashion, it will also taste better.

Where you buy tinned or imported seafood,

check the labels for how it was caught, read the label carefully.

If you’re buying tuna, see what type of tuna you’re about to buy,

as some species are endangered.

Only buy seafood with labeling that tells you what the species is,

where it was caught, and how it’s been caught,

and the way to do this more easily is to buy seafood

that has the Marine Stewardship Certification, an MSC tick.

The MSC labeling enables all products to have total traceability.

This means you can track what you buy from catch to plate

as it is packed and frozen on the boat.

This is an easy way to make sure

you’re eating seafood taken from a sustainable fishery.

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 is achievable.

We can conserve and sustainably use our oceans,

seas, and marine ecosystems.

Biodiversity losses in the ocean are less pronounced than those on land

and many marine species are capable of recovery

once pressures are reduced or removed.

However, achieving this goal

will require rebuilding marine life as the life support systems,

the populations, the marine habitats and the ecosystems

that deliver many benefits society receives from our healthy oceans.