Ocean: The changing tides

We ourselves feel what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop – Mother Teresa
Known as the lungs of our planets, oceans cover almost 70% of the Earth and produce 50% of oxygen while absorbing 30% of carbon dioxide from our planet.
8th June is globaly celebrated as the World Ocean Day to emphasise the importance of this magnanimous resource while highlighting the challenges our oceans are facing in the present times.
Despite being responsible for food, economy and sustenance of life, our oceans today are under threat and need serious attention on the marine crisis. High levels of pollution, plastic and toxic waste disposal, overfishing, destruction of weeds and marine forests and other natural habitats are few of the reasons responsible for destabilization of Ocean Ecosystem which is eventually contributing towards the global climate change crisis.
Pakistan enjoys a strategic geographical location: in the South we have a significant coastal line of 1,046 kilometers bordering Iran in the West and India in the East. We are no exception to the threats of global warming and the impacts of climate change. Being a developing country, Pakistan is prone to get affected by climate change and is also worst equipped to handle the crisis. In 2021, U.K Meteorology Office reported that in Pakistan, approximately 1 million people will be vulnerable to coastal flooding annually by 2070 to 2100 if preventative and curative measures are not taken timely.
In recent years, Pakistan has witnessed worst climate change induced floods that caused massive destructions not only in terms of loss of human life but also population displacements – which further led to an increase in poverty, health concerns and decline in economic growth. Other than floods, we are witnessing out of season hail storms and severe heat wave that are damaging our crops resulting in deterioration of our already struggling economy.
Marine pollution in Pakistan is a real threat to our coastline. We have two port cities, mainly Karachi and Gwadar, of which Karachi is also considered the financial hub of Pakistan. Karachi port is one of the busiest ports facilitating the blue economy of the country; but this contribution to our economy is coming with a massive price to marine ecosystem. Oil spills and toxic waste dumping are common factors implicating and damaging the marine life. Land reclamation and dredging are responsible for destabilizing the sea temperatures while destroying marine forests and sea life.
Sea grasses, mangroves and salt marshes along our coast captures and hold carbon, acting as carbon-sinks of the Ocean. Blue Carbon is the term used for carbon captured by our oceans and coastal ecosystems. They play an important role in minimizing coastal erosion and aid in maintaining sea levels.
Approximately one fourth of the world’s tropical coastline comprises of Mangrove Ecosystem. With an estimated area of 167,000 to 181,000 square kilometers along 112 countries, 40% of the world mangroves are found in South and South East of Asia. In previous years, Pakistan witnessed a significant depletion of its mangrove forest which led to land erosions, changes in sea temperatures affecting the sea life and blue carbon ecosystems.
Pakistan Navy took up the challenge of replantation of mangroves under a Mangrove Plantation Campaign in collaboration with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Maritime Study Forum (MSF), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and local forest departments. So far, more than 7.5 million mangroves have been planted under this campaign.
Being a party to the Paris Agreement of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Pakistan needs to take fundamental steps for protecting and enhancing the ecosystem to meet the mitigation objectives. Effective solutions may include blue carbon ecosystems, preservation of current mangroves & sea forestation, better waste management specially for the toxic spills in the Ocean, avoiding by-catch and overfishing for effective sea food production, reduction in plastic waste especially near the coastal areas and working for awareness on climate change adaptations and mitigation options can help Pakistan combat this threat. Oceans are the essential source in supporting life on our planet and act as major buffer in neutralizing effects of global warming. They are the core reasons for existence of our planet. Preserving and protecting our oceans is the only way to a better future: a promise to our generations to come.
You will love the Oceans. It makes you feel small but not in a bad way. Small because you realize you are part of something bigger – Lauren Myracle