The continuous harm and deterioration of the world’s oceans as a result of natural changes and human activity is referred to as ocean degradation. Here is a brief summary of the primary causes and consequences:
Causes:
Pollution is when chemicals, plastics, oil spills, and sewage are dumped into the ocean.
Ocean acidification due to elevated carbon dioxide, rising sea levels, and warming oceans are all examples of climate change.
Overfishing is the removal of fish more quickly than they can reproduce, which upsets ecosystems.
Habitat Destruction: The harm caused by mining, coastal development, and trawling to seabeds, mangroves, and coral reefs.
Non-native species that disturb local marine life are known as invasive species. They are brought in by ships or people.
Effects:
Coral Bleaching: As a result of expelling algae due to warmer seas, corals die.
Loss of Biodiversity: Food webs are impacted when species become extinct or their populations drop.
Dead Zones: Usually brought on by pollution discharge, these areas have extremely low oxygen levels and are inhospitable to most marine life.
Economic Losses: Effects on tourism, coastal conservation, and fisheries.
Threats to Food Security: The ocean provides the majority of the protein for many people.
Why It Is Important
The seas sustain global economies, supply oxygen, control the planet’s temperature, and harbor a staggering variety of species. Both human livelihoods and the balance of the environment are at risk due to their degradation.
Yahye Ahmed
