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UNSDG 14 - Life Below Water



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What Is It?

UN SDG 14 stands for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which has the goal to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for development." This goal was created and applied into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations and discusses issues on how the oceans and marine ecosystems can be affected.



KEY TARGETS OF UN SDG 14 INCLUDE:

  • Prevention of Marine Pollution

  • Protection of Marine Ecosystems

  • Sustainable Fishing

  • Spreading awareness through news and arts

  • Decreasing ocean pollution and the spreading of acid in the oceans

Importance of UN SDG 14:

  • Improving Biodiversity in Lakes, Oceans, and Seas

  • Re-regulating the climate

  • Gaining more Economic Resources such as land and businesses through trade

Reaching UN SDG 14 means achieving sustainable development, environmental health, and global prosperity.




How Does It Relate to Sustainability?


Here are some ways where UN SDG 14: Life Below Water can relate to sustainability:

 Ecosystem Health

   - Biodiversity Preservation: Healthy oceans and marine ecosystems are essential for biodiversity. Protecting these ecosystems helps maintain the balance of marine life, which is crucial for sustaining food webs and the overall health of all the world's ecosystems.


Resource Management

   - Sustainable Use of Resources: Goal 14 emphasises the sustainable management of marine resources, ensuring that activities such as fishing and tourism do not damage oceanic resources. This sustainable use is vital for more generations to come.


Economic Sustainability

  • Livelihoods and Fisheries: Many communities depend on healthy oceans for their lifestyles. Sustainable fishing practices and marine tourism can provide economic benefits while ensuring that marine ecosystems are not overused or tampered with.


Pollution Reduction

  • Cleaner Oceans: Reducing marine pollution, specifically with plastic waste and chemicals, is important for keeping the oceans clean. Oceans with less garbage and trash help with healthier marine life, which then supports human health and economies that rely on marine resources.


To conclude, UNSDG 14 is an important element which supports sustainability, as it encourages the health of marine ecosystems, supports stability, which includes economic stocks, and speaks about critical, global environmental challenges such as climate change and marine biology.


What Can You Do?


  1. Reduce Plastic Use

    1. Cut down on Single-Use Plastics: Use reusable bags, bottles, and containers.

    2. Participate in Clean-Up Events: Join local beach or river clean-up activities to remove plastic waste from the environment.


  1. Support Sustainable Seafood

    1. Choose Sustainable Options: For example, instead of shark fin soup, you could eat chicken breast.

    2. Educate yourself; learn about overfished species and avoid consuming them.


  1.  Educate and Raise Awareness

    1. Share Information: Educate relatives about the importance of ocean conservation and sustainability

    2. Use Social Media: Share articles and campaigns that promote ocean health.


  1. Support Research

    1. Donate or Volunteer: Support organizations that’s goal is having plastic free seas

    2. Participate in small activities: Join projects that contribute to marine research


  1. Be Mindful of Water Usage

    1.  Save Water: Reduce unnecessary water use at home to decrease using too much and pollution entering oceans.

    2. Avoid Chemicals: Using eco-friendly cleaning products can have a big impact


  1.  Engage in Community Activities

    1. Join Local Environmental Groups (charities etc.): Participate in local hikes aimed at improving the oceans

    2. Educate Younger People: Engage with schools to promote clean seas and discuss with younger generations about this.


      1. Author’s Notes

      Additional Statistics!We often rely on oceans and seas for our living environments, they cover 70% of the earth and we also rely on them for energy, food and water.

      • Life below water focuses on preserving and the sustainability of using our oceans, seas and marine resources. 

      • Pollution is a hazardous hazard to life below water

      • Overfishing has wiped out more than 70% specific shark populations

      • Goal 14 is about conserving water and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources. The ocean is important to our life on earth

      • They provide key natural resources including food, medicines, biofuels and other products 

      • Worryingly marine pollution is reaching extreme levels with over 17 million metric tonnes, clogging the oceans in 2021.

      • About 89% of plastic litter found on the ocean floor are single use items by plastic bags.


Learn…


Act!


Act some more!



As you can see, there’s tons to do, and there’s no time like the present to do it!



Bibliography:

Goal 14: Life below water - The Global Goals. (2024, January 23). The Global Goals.


How can you help our ocean? (n.d.). United Nations Sustainable Development.


Martin. (2023, October 20). Oceans - United Nations Sustainable Development. United Nations.


Pistelli, D. (2022, February 11). How can businesses and people preserve life below water? Iberdrola.


United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Goal 14: Life below water.

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