Lecture 3: State of Global Environment (Oceans and Coasts)

Environment Impact Assessment: Oceans and Coasts

Overview of Session

• The session focuses on the status of oceans and coasts, referencing Chapter 7 of the Global Environment Outlook 6 by the United Nations Environment Program.

• Key topics include the extent of problems in oceans and coasts, their significance to human life, and challenges for sustainable management.

• Specific issues discussed will cover tropical coral reefs, fishing practices, debris, sand mining, deep sea mining, and ocean noise.

Learning Outcomes

• Participants should be able to review marine pollution's extent and synthesize its significance from an Indian perspective.

• Understanding the concept of a "healthy ocean" is crucial for discussing sustainable use and management challenges.

• Participants are expected to engage with various marine issues critically.

Extent of Marine Problems

• Over 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based activities according to the Global Environment Outlook Report.

• Global warming leads to changes in ocean chemistry affecting marine species unable to adapt to rising temperatures.

• The report highlights that 31.4% of fish stocks are either fully fished or over-fished.

Geographical Context

• In 2010, more than 1.9 billion people lived in coastal areas; this number is projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050.

• Coastal megacities like Lagos (Nigeria), Guangzhou (China), and Dhaka (Bangladesh) are growing rapidly, increasing vulnerability due to environmental changes.

Importance of Oceans

• Oceans provide essential resources such as seafood which accounts for at least 20% of animal protein for over 3.1 billion people globally.

• Coastal ecosystems offer environmental benefits including stabilization and regulation of water quality while supporting biodiversity.

Economic Opportunities in India

• India has significant economic potential with a coastline exceeding 7500 kilometers, presenting opportunities linked to marine resources.

The Role of the Water-Based Economy in India

Overview of India's Water-Based Economy

• Approximately 95% of transportation needs for businesses are fulfilled by the water-based economy, contributing around 4% to India's GDP.

• India ranks as the third largest fish producer and second in aquaculture globally, showcasing its significant role in fisheries.

Employment Opportunities in Various Sectors

• The fishing, aquaculture, fish-processing, marine tourism, shipping, and port activities sectors have historically engaged a large workforce.

• The shipping sector is vital for livelihoods; India possesses one of the largest merchant shipping fleets among developing nations.

• Employment at smaller ports has increased significantly over major ports over the past five years due to rising cargo volumes.

Marine Tourism's Economic Impact

• Marine tourism is rapidly growing; states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu benefit economically from this sector.

• In Kerala alone, marine tourism created approximately 23% of total employment between 2009 and 2012.

Understanding Healthy Oceans

Definition and Importance

• A healthy ocean maintains intact ecosystem functions that support livelihoods and human well-being while being resilient to changes.

Sustainable Use Challenges

• There are significant challenges to sustainably managing marine ecosystems due to competing pressures on natural resources.

Complexities of Ocean Governance

Interconnectedness of Ocean Ecosystems

• Ocean currents can transport pollutants beyond national boundaries, complicating governance as marine life may not adhere to jurisdictional limits.

Impacts on Livelihoods

• Activities from one industry can adversely affect communities elsewhere who do not benefit from those industries but suffer their consequences.

Drivers of Change Affecting Oceans

Societal Needs vs. Industrial Demands

• Major drivers such as population growth and climate change create societal demands for food, construction, energy, etc., leading to conflicting uses of ocean resources.

Environmental Concerns Linked to Industries

Economic Value vs. Environmental Impact

• Numerous industries depend on oceanic resources (e.g., fishing, shipping), generating high economic value but also causing significant environmental impacts.

Impact of Maritime Activities on Marine Ecosystems

Effects on Sea Bed Habitats

• Gear impacts on sea bed habitats and benthos, which refers to the flora and fauna found in bottom sediments. These habitats are structurally fragile and vulnerable to disturbances.

• Chronic and episodic releases of fuel and hydrocarbons from shipping accidents contribute to environmental degradation.

• Discharge of sewage, waste, and greywater from maritime activities further pollutes marine environments.

• The transmission of invasive species through shipping routes disrupts local ecosystems.

• Maritime transport is responsible for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting its contribution to climate change.

Upcoming Environmental Issues

• Focus areas include tropical coral reefs, fishing issues, marine litter (debris), mercury pollution, sand mining, deep-sea mining, and ocean noise.

• The UNEP report indicates that tropical coral reefs have reached a Tipping Point due to chronic bleaching events that threaten their recovery.

Understanding Coral Bleaching

• Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel symbiotic algae due to stress from temperature changes or nutrient imbalances. This results in corals appearing white or "bleached."

• The Coral Triangle region is noted for its biodiversity but faces severe threats from pollution and overfishing leading to poor reef health.

Consequences of Climate Change on Coral Reefs

• Increased frequency of large-scale coral bleaching events has been observed over the last two decades; the interval between these events is now about six years while recovery takes over ten years.

• Scientific evidence suggests that ongoing reef death will lead to significant losses in fisheries, tourism industries, livelihoods dependent on healthy reefs.

Historical Context of Coral Bleaching Events

• The summers of 2015 in both hemispheres were recorded as the hottest ever, triggering extensive coral bleaching across many regions.

• NOAA declared 2015 as the start of the third global coral bleaching event since similar occurrences in 1998 and 2010; this event has affected around 70% of world reefs.

Long-term Implications

• Predictions indicate that once atmospheric CO2 levels reach 350 ppm (achieved around 1988), significant ecological impacts would follow due to delayed ocean responses.

• Current CO2 levels exceed 400 ppm; thus we are witnessing effects from emissions made decades ago. This lag effect complicates immediate responses needed for ecosystem recovery.

Coral Reefs and Their Socioeconomic Impacts

The Importance of Coral Reefs

• Coral reefs are crucial for the survival of marine ecosystems, with serious implications for their degradation as they support 275 million people in 79 countries who rely on reef-associated fisheries for animal protein.

• The loss of coral reefs threatens food security and erodes the values that communities derive from them, leading to gradual loss of livelihoods.

Social and Economic Consequences

• Dead coral reefs increase vulnerability to storms and rising sea levels, impacting coastal communities economically due to reduced tourism value and biodiversity loss.

• Coral reefs also hold cultural significance as religious symbols for some communities, highlighting the social ramifications of their decline.

Fisheries: A Vital Food Source

Nutritional Dependence on Fish

• Fish provides over 20% of dietary protein for approximately 3.1 billion people, especially in coastal regions; declining fish availability raises food security concerns.

• To address future food needs, there is an urgent need to expand fisheries and aquaculture practices sustainably.

Causes of Ocean Changes

• Changes in ocean conditions stem from natural variations, climate change, and human activities such as overfishing and resource extraction.

Trends in Fisheries Production

Capture vs Aquaculture

• Capture production fisheries have stabilized at around 90 million tonnes over the past 50 years while aquaculture continues to grow significantly.

• If current trends persist, aquaculture may soon surpass capture fisheries in production volume, contributing notably to economies in both developed and developing nations.

Health Risks Associated with Marine Life

Mercury Contamination

• Mercury is a major public health concern; methyl mercury is a potent neurotoxin affecting fetal development even at low concentrations. Special advisories exist for pregnant women regarding seafood consumption due to high mercury levels.

Bioaccumulation Process

• Methyl mercury enters the food chain through algae consumption by microbes; it accumulates through biomagnification as larger fish consume smaller ones, increasing toxicity levels over time.

Impact of Fishing on Marine Ecosystems

Alteration of Ecosystems

• Fishing practices lead to significant alterations in marine food webs; mariculture has substantial impacts including habitat loss from mangrove conversion which affects dependent species negatively.

Environmental Concerns from Mariculture

• Dense culture facilities contribute to habitat destruction while antibiotics used can harm surrounding ecosystems; excessive feed accumulation reduces oxygen levels in water bodies further harming marine life quality.

Marine Litter: A Growing Concern

Plastic Pollution Statistics

• An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter oceans annually due primarily to poor waste management along coastlines; ongoing studies show marine litter present at all ocean depths.

Future Projections on Plastic Waste

• Without intervention, plastic pollution could rise dramatically from current estimates between 100 million tonnes up to 250 million tonnes by 2025 based on human activity patterns related to waste disposal systems.( t =1931 s )

Marine Litter and Its Impact on Oceans

Sources of Marine Litter

• Marine litter is closely linked to the efficiency of solid waste management, including how well we manage solid waste and wastewater treatment.

• A significant portion of oceanic plastic originates from land, entering marine environments through stormwater runoff or direct discharge into coastal waters.

• Coastal environments experience the highest accumulation of marine litter, with plastics distributed globally in ocean convergence zones.

Effects on Marine Life

• Visible impacts include death or injury to marine life due to entanglement with fishing gear and plastic packaging; recent reviews indicate increasing threats to turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds.

• Economic costs associated with marine litter include beach cleanup expenses and navigation hazards affecting tourism and small-scale fishing opportunities.

Emerging Issues Affecting Oceans

Coastal Sand Mining

• Coastal areas are being mined for construction sand and gravel, which are nonrenewable resources; this mining can cause significant ecosystem damage if poorly regulated.

• Deep-sea mining exploration is underway for additional oceanic resources but poses risks to benthic communities due to sediment disturbance.

Anthropogenic Ocean Noise

• The report highlights concerns regarding anthropogenic noise from shipping, seismic surveys, military operations, wind farms, dredging, and aggregate extraction impacting marine life.

Climate Change Impacts on Oceans

Key Climate Change Issues

• UNEP assessments reveal climate change effects such as ocean acidification, sea level rise, changes in bottom water conditions, disturbances in fish species distribution patterns, and altered ocean circulation.

• Coral bleaching has emerged as a dramatic impact of climate change alongside pollution from plastics and challenges within the fisheries sector like overfishing.

Summary of Challenges Facing Oceans

Overview of Ocean Health Concerns

• The session reviewed various problems affecting oceans including tropical coral reefs degradation, fishing issues related to debris management, sand mining practices, deep-sea mining consequences, and noise pollution.

• Emphasis was placed on the need for comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), reflecting on their complexity concerning sustainable use and management of marine ecosystems.