Marine ecosystems

Marine and coastal ecosystems provide many services to human society, including food and other goods, shoreline protection, water quality maintenance, waste treatment, support of tourism and other cultural benefits, and maintenance of the basic global life support systems.

The provision of these services is threatened by the worldwide degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems. Fisheries are in global decline. Coastal habitats have been modified and lost, and in many cases the rate of degradation is increasing. Habitat loss and modification result in a loss of ecosystem services and also threaten biodiversity (UNEP, 2006, p. 7).

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Why tiny Belize is a world leader in protecting the ocean

20 Aug 2019 - The Guardian - Fish stocks are stable and reef health improving, in part thanks to Belize’s substantial ‘no-take’ zones.

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“Never forget you change people’s lives”

12 Feb 2019 - How conservation efforts such as this GEF project provide income-generating opportunities to local communities in the Caribbean.

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IOC-UNESCO Provides Update on SDG 14 Indicator Development

7 Feb 2019 - IOC-UNESCO reports that the indicator methodology on how to conduct ocean acidification observation has been developed and trainings have begun on how to apply the methodology.

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Latest

Online prototype could improve ocean migratory species governance

10 Oct 2019 - An online mapping and knowledge platform prototype could soon offer free and easily accessible information on the migratory patterns of endangered species in the ocean.

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UN Global Compact Urges Businesses to Take Fast Action on Ocean Health

8 Oct 2019 - All elements of society must work together to assure the continued survival of our oceans, and that includes corporate action.

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Ocean cleanup device successfully collects plastic for first time

3 Oct 2019 - Floating boom finally retains debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, creator says.

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How we can help the ocean heal

1 Oct 2019 - The science is clear — we need to take bold and decisive action now if we want to keep the ocean and planet healthy.

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Ocean ecosystems take two million years to recover after mass extinction

30 Sept 2019 - If we carry on emitting carbon and interfering with marine ecosystems, we run the risk of losing one of its critical carbon-storing and food-providing players.

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New U.N. climate report: Monumental change already here for world’s oceans and frozen regions

25 Sept 2019 - Growing coastal flooding is inevitable, and damage to corals and other marine life has already been unleashed. But scientists say the world still has time to avert even more severe consequences.

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Pacific islands seek $500m to make ocean's shipping zero carbon

24 Sept 2019 - Coalition of six nations aims to raise funds and achieve full decarbonisation by 2050.

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Look to the ocean for climate change solutions

23 Sept 2019 - There is now overwhelming scientific evidence that the ocean can be a potent force in stabilizing the climate and building a secure future for everyone.

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