The purpose of this academic paper is to analyze the effect of the human behaviors on the marine environment and marine animals. This paper’s task is to advocate and to create awareness of these activities to the people. In order for them to have attention towards letters, facts, and pieces of knowledge in order to generate an image in the attention of the consumers that will raise the ideas and image so that it would be easier for the readers to understand.
People take so much time to comprehend the messages and do a little study before participating in any projects or advocacies.
Almost the entire of the planet is covered by water, even beneath the surface we are on. Water is such an important thing that runs the whole world and lifecycle. Human beings are causing permanent damage to the oceans and their environment, which is being led by two major reasons: Commercial fishing or over-fishing, which damaged the marine environment and caused a harm in the marine life diversity, and pollution, which is a primary way of the extinction causes that extremely changes the marine life habitat.
Marine environments and surroundings are often contaminated or polluted by some toxicants. Mostly, the roots of marine pollution are land-based. Human or individual activities and actions even you think that you are doing no harm or the right thing are also responsible and you should be concerned about the increasing failure or destruction of the world ‘s natural diversity. In the oceans or in any water bodies, activities such as commercial fishing or over-fishing, pollution, experimented species, habitat fragmentation, and environmental destruction can be a major risk.
In the study research of Hardesty, BD. & Vince, J. (2017), It is being stated there that marine pollution has long been recognized as a threat and a catalyst for ongoing developments in ocean governance. One major means to address and combat these threats has been through the work of international bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO, responsible for the administration of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973/78 (MARPOL), the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 and its 1996 Protocol (London Convention/Protocol), have also recognized the problem of plastic pollution and marine litter.
One particular threat by the human impact that continues to harm marine life is plastic debris pollution. This trash can reach the ocean in different ways such as disposing of by business/commercial ships, left behind litters by beach-goers, or river and community drainage systems, most public, and private. As soon as it spreads in the ocean or waters, it can affect the marine life cycle because the debris might fall to the seabed and later be consumed by living species.
The issue of plastic pollution in the world’s seas and oceans has attracted increasing scientific concern, with calls for an international agreement to address this issue. Any such agreement would extend, complement, and also challenge existing international, regional, national, sub- national, and local initiatives. Responses to the problem of marine plastic pollution will need to involve and link state and non-state actors, business, and civil society, looking to integrated solutions that move away from traditional state-based, sector-focused responses to oceans’ issues.
Studies have tested out guts of several marine creatures and found that the ingestion of plastic continues to increase each year. Ingesting this plastic debris can be very harmful to the marine lifecycle. It can have an effect on food consumption, decrease in health, blockage of digestive, weakened food inducement, lowered steroid hormone levels, delayed ovulation, or reproductive failure (Derraik 2002).
Of all the debris on the ocean, 90% is plastic and about 71% of the planet is water-covered and the ocean holds 95%. That is 46,000 pieces of plastic for a square mile (Ferguson 2006). There has been a 90 percent increase in the density of litter over the past decade. More than a third of the rubbish found in the latest survey consisted of pieces or the debris in the ocean also, plastic is found almost everywhere, some example plastic bags, bottles, drinking bottles, beauty products and much more that people use and it is consumed by fishes, water creatures or marine life that is way too dangerous for them.
Plastic is useful it makes life easier and simpler, it is so much handy and convenient than the other bags and containers to put our pieces of stuff and foods in but when plastic spreads in a body of water it can be toxic to deadly. Plastic travels along flows which makes them bundle together in the same area. Plastic like micro-plastics from the debris of our trash or waste is often consumed by fish and other marine life. Spreading of trash or waste that causes pollution of materials into the body of waters to oceans is one of the leading causes of why some marine species are approaching extinction. Numerous authors of articles and books saying about this topic tend to agree that masses of our oceans are a problem. The future of this issue is where their ideas tend to change.
The common of marine creatures are losing their existence or lives because small particles of plastics (debris) were found in the dead animal’s stomach and it is really alarming, yet terrifying. A common example is with a sea tortoise and they have a very important role on ocean’s cycle as they cut the seagrasses to maintain it and to keep it short and as well for the other creatures or animals. Tortoise often preys on jellyfish which is often confused with plastic bags. When the tortoise eats the bag, it can either choke it or make the tortoise feel full until it dies off from starvation and tortoises and turtles do not breed as easy as the others.
Another thing to worry about the extinction in marine life is the coral reefs. Coral reefs are not just beautiful underwater decorations that make the ocean more colorful and lively. Corals are essential to the survival of many species of marine creatures. Generally known as the ‘rainforests of the sea,’ coral reefs are habitat to of the ocean’s fish and other organisms, which is why their condition is the main thing to a strong and marine ecosystem.
A report in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science Conservation International (2006), said that the present extinction period or loss, known as the Holocene Extinction Event, maybe the highest occurrence in the Earth’s history and the primary due to human activities. Different from the previous events, nevertheless, extinctions are proceeding throughout the progress of eras rather than centuries. Recent studies propose that a part of the world’s species may go extinct by 2050. The UN caution news about ecosystem failures. The latest global coral reef calculation estimates that 19% of the earth’s coral reefs where water creatures are dead.
Kent Carpenter of the Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia (2011) who directed the global coral assessment for the IUCN, said the threat to the corals is probably unprecedented in modern times. “The results of this study are very disconcerting,” Dr Carpenter said. “When corals die off, so do the other plants and animals that depend on coral reefs for food and shelter, and this can lead to the collapse of entire ecosystems. If you are interested in biodiversity I would say this is one of the most alarming findings in terms of marine life.”
They cited rising sea temperatures, caused by global warming, pollution from such human activities as sewage and agricultural run-off, and over-fishing as the biggest threats. But they warn that all of these may be eclipsed by the threat of rising ocean acidity caused by increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which could eventually dissolve the calcium carbonate skeletons of reef-building corals.
Pollution is one of the major worldwide killers, affecting over a hundred million individuals. Marine pollution is a very serious problem and must be solved and not to be ignored. There is too much evidence for it to be denied as a real issue. This problem is killing marine life and human lives. Several domestic laws, regulations and international protocols to practice bans dumping of harmful materials into the ocean, also, illegal fishing and tourism. A worldwide prohibition on dumping seemingly must be enough to remove the practice, and perhaps will need all administrations to progress implementation of any plans to stop this. Its only gotten worse over time.
In the Philippines, The Philippine Government ruled by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte have announced the closure for Boracay in April 2018 for a general rehabilitation that will take up from 6 months to 2 years. Boracay is one of the world’s beautiful destinations and on the top of the best beaches in the world. Leading to its closure for rehabilitation, to resolve the worsening sewage conditions there. It is said that the place is overcrowded, polluted and has many issues that affect the island and the native residents. The waters along the shores of Boracay have faced algal bloom (a rapid growth of algae in water) that caused the clog and the discoloration of the water; which environmentalists and some natives claim to be an indicator of pollution and failing water situations. The rehabilitation was run by soldiers, police officers, natives, and volunteers. Closing the island for tourism and other businesses, they had really strict permissions or restrictions for those who want to enter the place including the reporters, media and more.
There are also 400 hotels and buildings that have been ordered to close because of violating local and environmental laws including the illegal and careless waste dumping. Casinos and other various shoreline businesses were demolished due to illegal activities. Within the same month, a whale was sighted as reported in Boracay and as seen through social media. Residents of Boracay, Aklan, social media users or netizens upheld the sightings as a good sign. The government officials and researchers said that the sighting is a proof that the rehabilitation is a success.
Community public action can include initiatives or plans that reduce the amount of plastic entering the marine environment, a focus on recycling and reusing plastics, and continue and to improve people’s awareness of the impacts of marine plastic pollution, as well as applied mechanisms such as litter bags. These initiatives are independent of but accompaniment more globally focused actions at the state level. Civil society action links to market and economic drivers that see consumer demand force a reduction in level and type of plastic. Businesses and the community can be encouraged to develop and support practices.
Marine pollution has been already there since the beginning of time. As time has gone by, the issue has been supported by several organizations, administration and management are taking action, battling the problem; and with this, a reason by adding laws and regulations to make an effort to try and keep the oceans protected from many destructions. The society is just now realizing how cruel the situation is and they are not taking it yet with enough attention
Our environment is in danger. Corals, fish, tortoise and even the water itself are crying to death. The pollution is trying to be solved but since so much has already been done it’s very difficult to get some change in the ocean or water especially if we are not taking our part and actions in helping it. Of course, not all people have the same outlook concerning about the issue but some people truly care and understand all the maltreatment that occurs in our present-day. Humans are distributing out several environments on a daily and regular basis. If this cruel rate of marine life extermination continues, the human race undoubtedly won’t be able to have any seafood on their feast plates in about a hundred years. The water is gloomy, so as life.
Many people have done a helpful way or thing to help it but this matter is something that the whole globe should take part in. It would be better if it would have given importance or effort on great involvement and contribution. Learning more about which plastics are the most environmentally friendly can help save marine life. The water itself is not just a water but it brings us life and matters. Visualize a world where we didn’t have to constantly worry about the vicious cycle of humans affecting animals and then animals in turn affecting us through consumption.
Humans need pure and air to breathe, fresh water to drink, clean and healthy food to eat, new medications, an environment we can live in, benefit, vision, and rebirth. People need to believe that they belong to something greater than themselves. People want a better future and a greater generation for those they care about. To survive and live, we need strong oceans.
Water Is Important Thing That Rules the Whole World. (2022, May 01). Retrieved from http://envrexperts.com/free-essays/essay-about-water-is-important-thing-that-rules-the-whole-world