Turning the Tide: How Our Sustainable Ocean Project is Championing Marine Conservation and Achieving UN SDGs

I'm Kartes Li, whose name has a connection to the French philosopher René Descartes. I'm a student with big dreams, always up for a challenge and I love trying new things. My unique blend of hobbies—scuba diving and American football—though different, have significantly shaped my high school experience. Years ago, as I dived into the waters surrounding Koh Lipe, Thailand, I was instantly obsessed with the underwater landscape, where a diverse array of vibrant and colorful coral danced gracefully with the ocean's currents, painting a vivid underwater view across the sea bottom. However, upon revisiting Koh Lipe recently, I was disheartened to see that the once-dazzling corals now appeared gray and lifeless, standing as brittle and broken fragments of their former splendor. The stark contrast between the past and present underwater landscapes was a haunting reminder of the fragility of our natural world. Eventually, this experience further fuelled my resolve to become an environmentalist, and it became the driving force for me to establish the ocean protection organization “OceanInsomnia''(Oceaninsomnia | Clean. Protect. Conserve.)  calling for a collective community force to protect the ocean before they fade into mere memories, lost forever to the ravages of human indifference.

Six remaining years of this decade for nations to achieve 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 1.5°C climate pathway and the 30 by 30 Global Biodiversity Framework of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).  

It has been nine years since the Paris Agreement was adopted, outlining the global commitment to limit global warming below 2°C.  Twenty-seven years since the first human effort, the Kyoto Protocol, to save the place called "home"

"The clock is ticking, and time is running out."

The world's oceans, a vital component of Earth's life support system, face unprecedented threats from climate change. Ocean pollution, largely driven by anthropogenic sources, disrupts marine ecosystems and contributes to phenomena like rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching. 

Fact 1: The Devastating Impact of Ocean Pollution on Marine Ecosystems and the Global Economy

Ocean pollution costs the global economy an estimated $2.5 trillion annually, a figure that underscores the urgent need for action to safeguard our invaluable marine environments. The relentless accumulation of plastic waste, chemical contaminants, and nutrient runoff in our oceans is causing irreparable harm to marine life and habitats. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over 700 marine species are currently threatened by entanglement, ingestion, or other dangers posed by marine debris.

Rising greenhouse gas emissions are also exacerbating ocean acidification, which threatens the very foundation of the aquatic food chain. Alarmingly, the ocean's average surface pH has decreased by 0.1 units since the Industrial Revolution, representing a 30% increase in acidity. This acidification has severe consequences for calcifying organisms like corals, shellfish, and plankton, which play crucial roles in marine ecosystems.

The alarming issue of dead zones in the world's oceans is escalating at an unprecedented rate. In 2004, scientists identified 146 hypoxic zones, areas with depleted oxygen levels that make it difficult for marine life to survive. However, by 2008, that number had skyrocketed to more than 400 dead zones worldwide. The situation continued to worsen, and in 2017, a dead zone nearly the size of New Jersey was recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, marking the largest dead zone ever measured at that time.

This alarming expansion of dead zones can be attributed primarily to nutrient pollution, predominantly originating from agricultural activities and developed land areas. The excessive influx of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, causes massive algal blooms in coastal waters. As these algal blooms decompose, they consume vast amounts of dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic or anoxic conditions that are detrimental to marine ecosystems.

The consequences of these growing dead zones are severe and far-reaching. One notable impact is the stunted growth of shrimp populations in affected areas. With limited oxygen availability, shrimp struggle to thrive, leading to fewer large shrimp being available for commercial and recreational fishing activities. This ecological imbalance can have ripple effects on local economies and food security for coastal communities that rely on these valuable marine resources.

Ocean pollution costs the global economy an estimated $2.5 trillion.

Fig.1 (Nicola J. Beaumont , 2019)

Nicola J. Beaumont. (2019, March 27). Global ecological, social and economic impacts of Marine Plastic. Marine Pollution Bulletin. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X19302061#bb0095 

Fact 2: The Rapid Expansion of Oceanic Dead Zones

The number of oceanic dead zones—areas severely depleted of oxygen—is increasing alarmingly. From 146 hypoxic zones identified in 2004, the count soared to over 400 by 2008. By 2017, a dead zone nearly the size of New Jersey was recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, the largest ever at that time. These dead zones primarily result from nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development, leading to massive algal blooms. When these blooms decompose, they consume significant oxygen, creating hypoxic conditions detrimental to marine life. The expansion of these zones has severe implications, notably affecting shrimp populations whose growth is stunted due to reduced oxygen levels, impacting both commercial fishing yields and local economies dependent on marine resources.

Fact 3: The Growing Menace of Marine Garbage Patches

The oceans are filled with debris, resulting in the formation of five massive garbage patches globally. The largest, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, contains approximately 1.8 trillion pieces of trash. These sprawling areas of marine debris are primarily composed of plastics, highlighting the critical issue of ocean plastic pollution, which the environmental efforts aim to address.

Fact 4: The Overwhelming Scale of Ocean Plastic Pollution

Annually, up to 12 million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans—equivalent to over 26 billion pounds or more than the combined weight of 100,000 blue whales. If this trend continues, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish, underscoring the pressing need for robust global interventions to mitigate ocean plastic pollution.

Our mission at OceanInsomnia (www.oceaninsomnia.com) is to harness collective community power to tackle ocean plastic pollution. To structure our efforts, we employ the SPACE framework:

Sustainability: Emphasizing durable environmental health.

Phytoremediation and Afforestation: Utilizing natural processes and planting trees to rehabilitate and enrich environments.

Conservation: Focusing on the careful management of natural resources.

Ecosystem Services: Highlighting the benefits that nature provides, from climate regulation to water purification.

Each component plays a crucial role in guiding our projects and amplifying their impact. Through sustainability, we emphasize durable environmental health. Phytoremediation and afforestation represent our commitment to utilizing natural processes and planting trees to rehabilitate and enrich environments. Conservation initiatives focus on the careful management of natural resources, while ecosystem services highlight the benefits that nature provides, from climate regulation to water purification.

Our project's main solution revolves around reducing plastic pollution, promoting recycling, and fostering responsible consumption patterns. The achievements so far align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under SDG 11, we have enhanced urban coastal and marine environments, supported clean and sustainable communities, and prevented land-based waste from reaching the sea. SDG 12 has seen us promote sustainable consumption, drastically cut waste generation, and boost recycling efforts. Additionally, in accordance with SDG 13, we've taken significant strides in conserving marine resources, reducing marine pollution, and protecting marine wildlife from the dangers of plastic debris.

Looking ahead, our roadmap is strategically divided into three phases. From 2023-2024, Phase 1 focuses on laying a foundation for environmental advocacy through critical thinking and problem-solving coursework, complemented by active participation in environmental clubs and initiatives. The goal is to build a strong academic and ethical foundation that fosters a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship. In Phase 2, spanning 2025-2026, we aim to specialize and engage deeply in environmental conservation through a targeted degree in environmental science, supported by internships and project leadership. The ultimate goal is to enhance our expertise and practical experience in conservation. By 2027 and beyond, in Phase 3, we plan to drive significant impacts in marine conservation by initiating and contributing to professional conservation projects, leveraging our knowledge and networks to advocate for sustainable marine policies.

As we continue to advance our initiatives under the SPACE framework, our efforts reflect a profound commitment to not just understanding but actively improving the relationship between human activities and marine health. The challenges are significant, yet through our strategic phases of development and targeted goals, we are paving the way for a sustainable future. We believe that each small step contributes to a global change, echoing the words of renowned environmentalist, Jane Goodall: "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Join us in making a difference that honors and preserves the intrinsic value of our oceans for generations to come. Together, we can turn the tide on environmental degradation and cultivate a legacy of respect and care for the planet.