Oceans in Crisis

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Oceans are such so vast that people underestimate the impact their actions —seeming so insignificant— have on them. Humans have by and large taken the oceans for granted; not considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A popular mind-set is that the oceans are a bottomless supply of fish, natural resources, and an infinite waste dump. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious one is marine life. With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, it is obvious that sea creatures are predominant form of life, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, that is not the only reason why saving the oceans is crucial. The ocean floor provides natural resources such as, oil, natural gas, petroleum, minerals, medications, and ingredients for foods and products. The economic benefits of the oceans are huge and significant, as well. Fishing and fish products have provided employment to 38 million people and have generated about $124 billion in economic benefits. However, oceans are on the verge of crisis, marine life, natural resources, transportation, the economy, and important ingredients are at risk due to overfishing, pollution, and acidification. Thus, in this essay I will argue that, oceans are not impervious to human activity and threatening the health of the ocean threatens the health of humanity, since oceans key to our survival.

Overfishing is the most major problem related to oceans, but it is also the most overlooked. Fishing has been going on for thousands of years, and fish have always been seen as a renewable resource, that would replenish itself forever for our benefit. But around the world there is evidence that fish are not recove...

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..." by Bahá'í International Community. Endangered Oceans.” Louise Gerdes, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2009. Bahá'í International Community, "Perspectives: The Blue Planet: Oceans in Crisis," One Country, April-June 2006.

“Oceans." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 30 Nov. 2011.

“The Health of the World's Oceans Is Rapidly Declining" by Pew Environmental Group. Conserving the Environment. Debra A. Miller, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 2010. Protecting Life in the Sea, Philadelphia, PA: Pew Environment Group, The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2008.

“Water pollution." Environmental Encyclopedia. Ed. Marci Bortman, Peter Brimblecombe, and Mary Ann Cunningham. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.

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