13 Quotes to Protect the Ocean And Inspire Us to Help Stop Ocean Pollution

To protect the ocean is a value closely linked to being a scuba diver because it instills in us a desire to explore and understand it.

“People protect what they love” – Jacques Y. Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau, a great lover of the oceans, spent his life protecting the ocean. He was also a visionary and understood what the consequences of human behavior were going to be and warned us of them. Today it is urgent to take action.

So much so, that the UN is enacting a global treaty for ocean protection with the aim of shielding 30% of international waters by 2030.

As nations and economic interests come together to reach agreements, we cannot help but wonder what we can do to protect the oceans in our sphere of influence.

1. Protect the Ocean is Protection Our Future

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came.” — John F. Kennedy

The oceans are the source of life. In other words, protecting the ocean means protecting the world and all its creatures.

They play a crucial role in providing oxygen

The oceans are responsible for producing more than half of the oxygen we breathe, surpassing even the renowned tropical rainforests. Each year, they release over 270 billion tons of oxygen into the atmosphere. We must prioritize protecting the oceans to ensure the continuity of this crucial oxygen supply.

Ocean regulate the Earth’s temperature

In addition, protecting the oceans is vital to mitigate climate change caused by human activities since the oceans help regulate the planet’s temperature and act as natural carbon dioxide absorbers. By safeguarding marine ecosystems, we can help sustain the water cycle, support biodiversity, and protect vulnerable species.

They are a food source

Seafood, including fish and other marine delicacies, is rich in protein and valuable nutrients. Sustainable practices are essential to protect marine ecosystems and ensure the long-term availability of seafood.

Oceans offer employment and entertainment opportunities

Fishing and aquaculture support the livelihoods of over 60 million people globally. Maritime trade accounts for 90% of global commerce, transporting trillions of tons of goods. We cannot neglect the importance of tourism.

As we recognize the economic opportunities provided by the oceans, it is crucial to balance economic growth with sustainable practices that protect our oceans.

2. Why Should We Protect Our Oceans?

“If man doesn’t learn to treat the oceans and the rain forest with respect, man will become extinct.” — Peter Benchley

Human survival depends intimately on us taking action and saving the oceans, but not only. Life on the planet also depends on it.

“Only we humans make waste that nature can’t digest.” Charles Moore

The ocean faces serious threats, including:

1. Climate change and ocean acidification. As we have said, the oceans absorb carbon dioxide, but their capacity is not infinite. The more CO2 they absorb, the more their acidity increases, reducing the pH of the water and altering its internal chemistry.

For instance, we must take action to protect the ocean from the impacts of climate change if we don’t want rising temperatures to harm coral reefs, causing bleaching and decline.

2. Garbage and plastics. That solid waste that does not decompose easily is turning the sea into the garbage dump of humanity. Over 80% of marine pollution comes from land, with 8 million tons of plastic entering the ocean annually. It gets swept up by ocean currents, forming massive garbage patches like the infamous Great Pacific garbage patch. We need to take steps to protect the ocean from plastic pollution and debris.
3. Other Pollution. Fertilizers, spills, fuels, and plastics pollute the waters of the oceans. Meanwhile, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions from ships contribute to coastal air pollution.
4. Overfishing is not only a threat to our oceans but also to global food security. Unsustainable fishing threatens the biodiversity of the oceans.
5. Dredging and Deep-Sea Mining: Although enhancing marine transportation, dredging poses a significant disturbance to marine ecosystems. It alters the composition of the ocean floor and soil, resulting in habitat destruction. We must find a balance between human activities and protecting our underwater habitats.

3. How to Protect the Oceans? Successful strategies

“Conservation is the preservation of life on earth, and that, above all else, is worth fighting for.”

(Rob Stewart, award-winning biologist, photographer, conservationist, author, and filmmaker)

Let’s protect the oceans together!

In order to safeguard our precious oceans, we need to unite and collaborate. Scientists are researching and developing ways to protect the oceans. Fishermen and the fishing industry can utilize their expertise to extract resources sustainably. Every day individuals like you and me can make responsible choices as consumers. Meanwhile, governments and decision-makers play a crucial role in setting ambitious goals and taking action at both local and global levels to ensure the protection of our oceans.

Marine Conservation Initiatives:

Some well-known organizations are doing great work in this field, like the IUCN-WCPA (International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Commission on Protected Areas), The Nature Conservancy, and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program). They are a few among many organizations tirelessly to protect our oceans.

Technology for Ocean Recovery:

The vastness of the oceans presents a grand challenge for exploration. How to know the mysteries beneath the waves, even thousands of kilometers offshore? Well, technology comes to the rescue! It’s the perfect tool that helps scientists study and understand what’s happening in the depths, to develop strategies to protect the oceans.

Scientific Discoveries:

Scientists’ discoveries are essential because they provide insights into nature’s recovery mechanisms and how human activities impact marine ecosystems. They help us make informed decisions for ocean protection.

Marine Protected Areas:

We are talking about designated zones where ocean life can thrive, just like nature’s own safe havens. Scientists have repeatedly shown that marine protected areas are fantastic ocean protection strategies. They allow ecosystems to recover and flourish.

Policies for Ocean Protection:

Decision-making is vital. It starts with local governments and extends to international institutions. By making wise choices, we are protecting the oceans. In addition, we can minimize the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to halting ocean acidification and rising temperatures to creating regulations that put an end to overfishing and strategies to combat illegal fishing.

4. 7 Easy Ways to Protect the Ocean by Ourselves

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”  -Robert Swan OBE

Now that we know what the main threats to the ocean are, we can take part in protecting the oceans from our position.

1. Explore the oceans

“I need the sea because it teaches me.” – Pablo Neruda

The more we know about the ocean, the more we will love it. We can learn about it by consulting a bibliography, studying its flora or fauna, or watching documentaries. But of course, if there is an effective way to explore the oceans and love them, that is to scuba dive and snorkel. Believe it or not, it is a way to protect the oceans because, as Cousteau said, we protect what we love.

2. Avoid plastics

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.” -Jane Goodall

It is estimated that 79% of the plastic that is produced ends up in the ocean and in 2019, almost 370 million tons were produced, according to the Plastics Association Europe.

We can contribute to the protection of the oceans by reducing the use of plastic in our daily lives. The first step is to be aware of all the plastic we use and make decisions to eliminate it.

3. Reduce your carbon footprint

“One drop of water helps to swell the ocean…none are too small, too feeble, too poor to be of service. Think of this and act.”-Hannah More

We have already discussed the consequences of CO2 and its influence on ocean acidification. The excuse of many people is that their behavior will not mean a big change. However, that is not true. A simple gesture helps protect the oceans.

Change the car for a bicycle or walk and if you use it moderate the speed.

Turn off the light when not needed

Insulate your house well so that it doesn’t lose heat in winter or unnecessarily run air conditioning in summer.

4. Engage in responsible consumption of marine resources

“We don’t own the planet Earth we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife.” -Steve Irwin

Making sustainable decisions about the fish and shellfish we consume is vital because more than 3,000 million people in the world obtain their main protein source from the ocean.

Some applications help you know if the fish and shellfish you consume are caught sustainably.

Consume small adult fish, and avoid large fish, which are more threatened by overfishing.

Choose locally sourced seafood.

 5. Demand a commitment to protect the oceans through the vote

” The good man is the friend of all living things.”– Gandhi.

The people who represent us politically have the power to amplify your personal impact in protecting the oceans. Supporting policies committed to the environment is a way to speak up for our oceans.

 6. Raise your voice and share with others the actions in which you participate

“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”– Jane Goodall.

We have never had so much power to influence others as in this super-connected world. Social networks are a great loudspeaker. Share your actions, set an example, do educational work tell the rest of the world about your experiences at sea, and let them know how to protect the oceans.

You are a scuba diver and you can share the wonders of the ocean firsthand.

7. Support those who are already working to protect the oceans.

” The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” – Albert Einstein.

Human beings not only destroy, but they also build. Many of us are already contributing our grain of sand in favor of the oceans. At Dressel Divers, we do this through Go Green and supporting various non-profit associations committed to protecting the oceans.

“In nature, nothing exists alone.”– Rachel Carson.

By recognizing that nothing exists alone in nature, we come to understand that the well-being of our oceans is deeply intertwined with our own survival. This article sheds light on the urgent need to join forces and take proactive measures to protect our oceans from the threats they face, such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change.