Since its inception at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, June 8th has been the annual date of World Ocean Day celebrations. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the vital role that oceans play in supporting life on Earth and to encourage support for protecting them. It is more important than ever to safeguard the oceans as global temperatures increase.
Sports are just one area of society that must contribute to restoring ocean health and halting climate change. In actuality, athletes and sports enjoy a unique platform that allows them to effect significant change because of the relative value society places on them. Megan Rapinoe, Marcus Rashford, and LeBron James are a few athletes who have successfully promoted social causes. Sports organisations and athletes are starting to realise that there is no excuse for them to not safeguard the natural areas where they compete.
Before World Ocean Day, I had a conversation with Dr. Susie Tomson, a sustainability and sports expert; Blair Tuke, an Olympian sailing gold medallist and the creator of the Live Ocean Charity; and Sarah Jackson, a professional windsurfer and ocean advocate. We talked about the condition of the oceans and how sports can benefit the ecosystem and keep our seas safe during these discussions.
Serious Problems with Ocean Health
Blair Tuke was raised in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, near the ocean. He asserts that “the ocean is our biggest ally in our fight against climate change, you can’t talk about climate change without talking about the ocean,” demonstrating the clear link he sees between ocean health and a healthy Earth. However, serious problems are affecting our oceans.
Dr. Susie Tomson received her doctorate in integrated coastal management and worked in the field of marine and integrated coastal management for more than ten years before going on to become a sustainability consultant for some of the biggest sports organisations in the world. According to her professional view, rising temperatures, ocean acidification, and intensifying storms are the three main problems that are currently having a negative impact on the health of the ocean and the coast.
Rising Degrees
Seventy percent of Earth is made up of oceans, which function as sponges to absorb excess heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They transfer nutrients and control temperature, preserving the stability of Earth’s climate and food chain. But a startling increase in ocean temperatures brought on by climate change is upending the delicate ecosystems on Earth.
Ninety percent of the surplus heat produced by greenhouse gas emissions since the 1970s has been absorbed by the seas, according to NASA. Because of this, ocean temperatures have increased for 15 straight months to record highs. Given that surface water temperatures are rising 24% quicker than they were a few decades ago, the top 2300 feet of ocean water are the most vulnerable.
Although warmer waters can be alluring to swimmers during the holidays, they actually pose a threat to life as we know it. More than 3 billion people depend on the ocean for their daily sustenance, according to Dr. Tomson. Rising temperatures also lead to a number of unfavourable outcomes, including algal blooms, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, stronger storms, and sea level rise.
Acidification of the Oceans
Ocean acidification is dubbed the silent killer by Dr. Tomson. Being below the surface and invisible to the unaided eye, it is an issue that frequently goes unnoticed and unspoken.
30% of the carbon emissions from the globe are absorbed annually by our oceans. As per NOAA, the absorption of CO2 in saltwater initiates a sequence of chemical processes that elevate the degree of acidity in the ocean. Reduced carbonate ions, which “are an important building block of structures such as sea shells and coral skeletons,” are present in the water when the acidity of the water is higher.
Storm Intensity is growing.
Storms will also be stronger in warmer waters. Scientific research looked into adding Category 6 to the hurricane scale just this year. The study made the case that the effects of climate change had rendered the five-category model obsolete. In addition, NOAA meteorologists anticipate that this year will be the busiest Atlantic hurricane season ever. Eight to thirteen hurricanes are predicted, seven of which may be stronger than Category 3.
Disconnection
A fourth issue that should be considered. Despite the fact that half of the world’s population resides along the shore, many people, especially those who live there, sometimes remain unaware of the problems facing our oceans. Furthermore, a large portion of the populace lacks a direct link to the water due to circumstances beyond their control; it is only out of sight, out of mind.
