Research Paper on Sustainability: Human Development vs Ecological Balance

Introduction

Sustainability can be defined as the efforts to maintain an ecological balance by preventing the depletion of natural resources. Unfortunately, human's pursuit of economic development is increasingly threatening this balance. This calls for the adoption of sustainable development. Brundtland Report defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Wackernagel, Hanscom and Lin 18). To achieve this, the members of the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015 following decades of work and deliberations (United Nations). The agenda seeks to promote peace and prosperity for the planet and its inhabitants both in the present and the future. The agenda consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that must be pursued by all countries, both developing and developing (United Nations).

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To foster peace and prosperity, economic growth must be promoted, inequality reduced, and health and education improved. The agenda also insists that climate change and preservation of forests and oceans must be pursued. Recent years have seen the destruction of coral reefs, which have support aquatic ecosystems and have several benefits for humankind. To preserve the aquatic ecosystems, this trend must be reversed. Preservation of oceans is found in SDG 14. This paper seeks to explore this agenda, its targets, as well as ways in which it can help protect coral reefs.

Sustainable Development Goal 14

This goal seeks to conserve and use oceans, seas, as well as other marine resources in a sustainable way. Covering more than 70% of the earth's surface, oceans support the livelihoods of more than 3 billion people both directly and indirectly (United Nations). They also contribute to both regional and global elemental cycling as well as the regulation of climate. Goal 14 has seven targets aimed at increasing the economic benefits of marine and coastal ecosystems as well as preserve them for the benefit of future generations. Target 14.3 seeks to address and minimize the impacts of ocean acidification through various means such as enhanced scientific cooperation (United Nations). The "average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations" is the indicator of this target (United Nations).

Ocean acidification refers to the ongoing reduction in the pH levels of oceans due to increased uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Approximately one-quarters of the carbon dioxide released from burning gas, oil, and coal dissolves in the ocean. It is estimated that the world's oceans have absorbed 525 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere since the industrial revolution era (Smithsonian Ocean). The rate at which carbon dioxide has been dissolving in the oceans has overcome the natural buffering provided by the chemicals found in rivers draining into the oceans. The ocean water has become 30% more acidic in the past 200 years (Smithsonian Ocean). The quick change in the chemistry of the ocean water has not given marine life enough time to adapt. This has, in turn, adversely affected marine species and ecosystems. Two things happen after carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean water. First, the ocean water becomes more acidic as a result of a drop in pH. Secondly, carbonate ions are bound decreasing their accessibility to corals, mussels, oysters, as well as other shelled sea organisms that depend on carbonate ions to build skeletons and shells (Hoegh-Guldberg, Poloczanska and Skirving 158). This paper will focus on the effects of the acidified ocean water on coral reefs as well as ways in which the challenge can be addressed.

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems made up of reef-building corals. Coral polyps are bound together by calcium carbonate to form reefs. The corals produce a hard carbonate exoskeleton that protects and supports the coral. Reefs grow best in shallow, warm, sunny, clear, and agitated water. Though coral reefs occupy only 0.1% of the ocean area, they are home to 25% of marine species such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, among others (WWF). The diversity of species supported by coral reefs compares to that supported by the Amazon rainforests (WWF).

Importance of Coral Reefs

The greatest significance of coral reefs is probably the great diversity of lives that they support. Other than being home to several species of marine organisms, coral reefs play several other roles that help maintain the ecological balance of the marine ecosystems. Coral reefs provide nitrogen as well as other nutrients that nourish various marine species. They also help in nitrogen and carbon fixing as well as nutrient recycling.

Coral reefs also serve as a source of nutrition for millions of people around the world. They also offer a source of livelihood, directly or indirectly, and hence are a great economic resource. Fish spawn in the coral reefs, and thus the fishing industry greatly depends on them. It is estimated that the Great Barrier Reef pumps over 1.5 billion dollars into the Australian economy every year (Queensland Museum). Tourism, as well as leisure activities, also increase the economic value of coral reefs. Activities such as diving and recreational fishing contribute to the economies of several countries around the world. Coral reefs run along coastlines and hence helps protect the coastlines from life-threatening storms and waves. The protective fringe they form also helps reduce coastal erosion. Coral reefs also contribute to the advancement of research in medicine and other disciplines. For instance, coral calcium is being studied as a possible cancer-fighting agent (Weng, Chiu and Hu 238).

Destruction of Coral Reefs

Regardless of their great importance, it is estimated that half of the shallow-water coral reefs in the world have already been destroyed (WWF). Unless urgent action is taken, the life-sustaining coral reefs could disappear. Some of the factors that have led to the destruction of coral reefs include climate change, overfishing, pollution, unsustainable coastal development, among others. Overfishing disrupts the ecological balance of the coral ecosystems. Other human activities such construction of tourist resorts on coral reefs and coral mining have also led to the direct destruction of coral reefs. Climate change has led to an increase in water temperatures which has led to the bleaching and death of coral reefs. This is bound to get more severe in the coming decades unless the rate of ocean warming is reversed (WWF).

Acidification of ocean waters as a result of human activities and global warming has also contributed to the destruction of coral reefs. As mentioned earlier, corals depend on calcium carbonate to build reefs that provide habitats for thousands of organisms. Acidification limits the growth of corals by reducing the abundance of carbonate ions. Acidified waters also corrode the existing coral skeletons leading to the formation of weaker reefs, which are more prone to erosion. Studies have shown that by 2080, the oceans will be so acidic that even healthy coral reefs will erode at a faster than they rebuild (Smithsonian Ocean). Naturally, branching corals have a fragile structure. Therefore, they struggle to live in waters that have undergone acidification. Acidification of ocean water also impedes the strengthening of the skeletons of corals increasing their vulnerability to breaking. Larvae of corals struggle to find a place to settle in acidic waters and hence may not grow into adulthood (Smithsonian Ocean). However, studies have shown that the struggles faced vary among species. For instance, while some species exclusively depend on carbonate ions to form skeletons, others can use bicarbonate ions and hence have a higher chance of surviving in acidifying ocean waters (Smithsonian Ocean). Nevertheless, to save coral reefs and the ecosystems they support, action must be taken to address and minimize the acidification of oceans. This is the issue that Target 14.3 seeks to tackle.

How Target 14.3 Protects the Coral Reefs

Research is the bedrock of this goal. Efforts have been directed at establishing the magnitude of the problem, its causes, as well as ways in which it can be addressed. A report in 2016 to track the progress of this target confirmed that ocean acidification, which was thought to mitigate the effect of climate change, was altering the biogeochemical carbonate balance and hence hurting marine ecosystems (United Nations). The 2017 report established that acidification led to the weakening of the skeletons and shells of various marine species including corals. Studies carried out both in coastal sites, and open ocean found that the levels of acidity were above the pre-industrial bounds. The 2018 report placed the levels of acidity at 26% above the pre-industrial levels (United Nations). In 2019, the report indicated that if unchecked, the levels of acidity would rise by 100-150% by the end of the century, causing severe consequences to marine life (United Nations).

Other than the intensification of research, other efforts have been geared towards addressing acidification of oceans and its effects on coral reefs and other marine organisms. Governments around the world have expanded protected areas and developed policies and treaties to protect marine diversity. Sustainable use and conservation of marine resources have also been advanced. However, the 2019 report indicated that expansion of protected areas, as well as the existing policies and treaties, are insufficient to combat acidification of oceans. It was recommended that more efforts and interventions should be sought to achieve the goal of conserving and sustainably using ocean resources (United Nations).

Since carbon pollution has been cited as the primary cause of ocean acidification, more efforts should be aimed at addressing it. Renewable energy should be embraced to reduce the use of fossil fuels to generate energy. Governments around the world should also show more commitment to the reduction of their carbon emissions. The signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015 was a step in the right direction (Pont and Meinshausen 4810). The signatories committed to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases, a step that would slow and probably reverse the acidification of oceans. Unfortunately, recent moves such as the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement have compromised its success (Zhang, Chao and Zheng 216). More commitment, therefore, is needed from the international community. Moreover, since the ocean acidification is not fully understood, more research should be carried out (Cornwall and Hurd 575).

Conclusion

Sustainable development aims at meeting the needs of the present without affecting the ability of the earth to support future generations. The SDGs were developed to help achieve this. Target 14 seeks to conserve and protect marine resources. Target 14.3 is aimed at reducing the acidification of oceans which lead to the destruction of coral reefs, whose importance to humankind is immense. Though some gains have been made, there is a need for more research and commitment from the international community to minimize and probably reverse the acidification of oceans. This, in turn, will help conserve marine ecosystems.

Works Cited

Cornwall, Christopher E. and Catriona L. Hurd. "Experimental design in ocean acidification research: problems and solutions." ICES Journal of Marine Science 73.3 (2015): 572-581. <https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article-abstract/73/3/572/2458712>.