We¡¯re already aware of the kind of damage humans are causing to the environment, specifically the marine life.?
From dumping plastic waste in the ocean to the rising water temperatures due to global warming destroying coral reef populations, each factor is making it difficult for lives underwater to thrive and it is expected to go extinct in a matter of decades.?
However, now researchers, in a new study (published in journal Nature) claim that Earth¡¯s marine life can be saved as soon as 2050 if we start taking the efforts to rebuild life underwater seriously.
According to Professor Carlos Duarte, co-leader of the study at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.?
¡°We have a narrow window of opportunity to deliver a healthy ocean to our grandchildren's generation, and we have the knowledge and tools to do so.¡±
He further added, ¡°Failing to embrace this challenge, and in so doing condemning our grandchildren to a broken ocean unable to support high-quality livelihoods, is not an option.¡±
The study has laid out an action plan that needs to be undertaken, in collaboration with global governments to resurrect the diminishing marine population.
The researchers discovered that even though humans have persistently impacted marine life, they¡¯ve shown remarkable resilience to human impact.
They bring to notice the loss of marine life that was experienced in the 20th century that has gradually slowed down and even recovered in the first two decades of the 21st century.
The researchers have found nine components that are crucial to rebuilding marine life -- salt marshes, mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs, kelp, oyster reefs, fisheries, megafauna and deep sea. Keeping these nine components in healthy levels will translate to a thriving marine life.
Additionally, they¡¯ve outlined six ¡®recovery actions¡¯ to help rebuild the damages in the aforementioned nine components -- harvesting wisely, protecting delicate spaces (like coral reefs), restoring habitats, reducing water pollution and controlling effects of climate change.
Professor Susana Agusti at KAUST states in the study, ¡°Rebuilding marine life represents a doable grand challenge for humanity, an ethical obligation and a smart economic objective to achieve a sustainable future. The actions recommended include opportunities, benefits, possible roadblocks and remedial actions, giving a tangible roadmap to deliver a healthy ocean that would provide huge benefits for people and the planet.¡±
She further added, ¡°If all recovery wedges are activated at scale, recovery timescales of previously damaged marine life show that the abundance of marine life can be recovered within one human generation, or two to three decades, by 2050.¡±