GOAL

CHALLENGES

DATA

ACTIONS auren.com In view of the urgent need to preserve depend on marine and coastal biodiversity. marine ecosystems, an earlier compliance Furthermore, the oceans absorb 30% of date was established for the seven targets the carbon dioxide generated by human of this goal: 2020. The proposal is to prevent activity and, even so, an increase of 26% in and reduce marine pollution of all kinds, to acidification has been recorded since the reduce the effects of ocean acidification to beginning of the industrial revolution. These GOAL the minimum and to regulate fishing activity are brutal figures that should make us blush: in order to reduce overexploitation. in each square kilometre of ocean an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic waste is Increasing scientific knowledge, developing found! research capacity, transferring marine technology and providing access for In relation the deterioration of the sea, we small-scale artisanal fishermen to marine are also able to observe the degradation resources and markets are some of the of fresh waters. Currently, water shortages means of action proposed by this goal. affect more than 40% of the world’s population; each year more than 2 million The challenge to preserve oceans and seas children die due to the consumption of In this case, the United Nations polluted water; 1.8 million people use Development Programme has included as unsafe sources of drinking water; 2.4 million At Auren, we work on projects to recover a goal in the Agenda preserving and using people lack basic sanitation services; and the coasts and beaches, sustainable the oceans, seas and marine resources in a 80% of the waste water generated by tourism development strategy services, and sustainable manner. human beings go untreated into rivers and quality consultancy and environmental seas. certification systems. Furthermore, we are Humanity is faced with a key challenge aware of the great challenge of preserving consisting of guaranteeing water as an In order to solve this very serious problem, the water as a source of life and co- indispensable resource in the future. we need to look for an integrated operate with the institutions that include this The sea’s temperature, its chemical approach, based on international law, within their goals. composition, its currents and the life living that guarantees the protection of the in it are key drivers for the Earth and its marine ecosystems anywhere in the world. inhabitants. Moreover, citizens must be made aware of the responsible consumption of water, and It is a paradox that while 30% of the fish technologies that improve the efficiency of stock in the world is overexploited, in its management must be promoted. such a way that it does not produce a sustainable yield, more than 3 billion people

auren.com 2 Prevent and significantly reduce marine and overfishing, eliminate subsidies Enhance the conservation and pollution of all kinds, in particular that that contribute to illegal, unreported sustainable use of oceans and their produced from land-based activities, and unregulated fishing and refrain resources by implementing international including marine debris and nutrient from introducing new such subsidies, law as reflected in United Nations pollution. recognizing that appropriate and Convention on the Law of the Sea, effective special and differential which provides the legal framework for Sustainably manage and protect CHALLENGES treatment for developing and least the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid developed countries should be an integral oceans and their resources, as recalled significant adverse impacts, including by part of the World Trade Organization in paragraph 158 of the document “The strengthening their resilience, and take fisheries subsidies negotiation. Future We Want”. action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans. Increase the economic benefits that small island developing States and least Minimize and address the impacts of developed countries obtain from the ocean acidification, including through sustainable use of marine resources, enhanced scientific cooperation at all in particular through the sustainable levels. management of fisheries, aquaculture Effectively regulate harvesting and end and tourism. overfishing, illegal, unreported and Increase scientific knowledge, develop unregulated fishing and destructive fishing research capacity and transfer marine practices and implement science-based technology, taking into account the management plans, in order to restore Intergovernmental Oceanographic fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at Commission Criteria and Guidelines on least to levels that can produce maximum Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to sustainable yield as determined by their improve ocean health and to enhance biological characteristics. the contribution of marine biodiversity to Conserve at least 10% of coastal and the development of developing countries, marine areas, consistent with national laws in particular the small island developing and international law and based on the States and the least developed countries. best available scientific information. Provide access for small-scale artisanal Prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies fishers to marine resources and markets. which contribute to overcapacity

GOAL 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources 3 for sustainable development Oceans cover three quarters of the Earth’s 26% since the beginning of the Industrial over more than 1 million square surface, contain 97% of the Earth’s water, Revolution. kilometres and moving with the current and represent 99% of the living space by from the South Atlantic. It is located The coastal waters are deteriorating volume. between South America and the south due to the pollution and eutrophication. of Africa. Over 3 billion people depend on marine Without coordinated efforts, the coastal DATA and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. eutrophication is expected to increase by 5. North Atlantic Garbage Patch 20% in the great marine ecosystems around (discovered in 1972): this is the Globally, the market value of marine 2050. second-largest island by extension and coastal resources and industries is (it is estimated to be spread over 4 estimated at $3 trillion per year or about 5 In the world there are 7 large plastic islands, million square kilometres). However, it is per cent of global GDP. which are the result of more than 8 tons of famous due to its high density of waste: waste that invade seas and oceans: Oceans contain nearly 200,000 identified up to 200 thousand particles per square species, but actual numbers may lie in the 1. Sargassi Garbage Patch (discovered in kilometre. It moves with the current millions. 2017) in the Sargasso Sea. It is formed from the North Atlantic. by easily recognizable waste: shampoo Oceans absorb around 30% of carbon 6. South Pacific Garbage Patch: this was bottles, fishing gear, rigid containers, dioxide produced by humans, buffering the recently discovered near the coasts of bags and many other sorts of plastics. impacts of global warming. Chile and Peru. It has a surface area 2. Arctic Garbage Patch (discovered in of around 2.6 million square kilometres Oceans serve as the world’s largest source 2013) in the Barents Sea, close to the and contains mainly micro-fragments of protein. More than 3 billion people Artic Circle. This is the smallest plastic of plastic materials eroded over time depend on the oceans as their primary island; the waste come from Europa and through atmospheric agents. source of protein. and from the east coast of Northern 7. Great Pacific Garbage Patch (it is more Marine fisheries directly or indirectly employ America, which travel with the ocean than 60 years old): it is located in the over 200 million people. currents towards the north of Norway. Ocean, between California and the Subsidies to fishing are contributing to the 3. Indian Ocean Garbage Patch (officially Hawaiian archipelago. It moves by rapid depletion of many species and are discovered in 2010, although it has following the ocean current from the impeding the efforts to save and restore the existed since 1998): this island spreads North Pacific subtropical vortex. It is the global fisheries and the efforts related to over an area of more than 2 million biggest island of plastic in the world. Its them, causing ocean fisheries to generate square kilometres, with a density of size is huge: it is estimated to occupy US$ 50 billion less per year than they could. 10,000 particles per square kilometre. 1.6 millions of square kilometres. According to the United Nations The open sea spaces show that the 4. South Atlantic Garbage Patch: this is Environment Programme (UNEP), the current levels of acidity have increased by one of the smallest ones, spreading

auren.com 4 Pacific waste island is growing very 40% Plastic bottles take more than 450 years to rapidly (fed by a ton of waste a day), decompose. Up to 40% of the ocean is highly affected to the point that it will be soon be by pollution, depleted fish stock, the loss There are 500 times more micro-plastics than visible even from space. of coastal habitats and other human stars in our galaxy. Around 70% of marine waste drops to the activities. 50% of the world’s population have micro- bottom of the ocean, and therefore we DATA 30% plastics in their digestive system. only see a small part of it, the part that floats. The ocean absorbs around 30% of the If we continue at this rate, plastic waste will carbon dioxide produced by human double over the next decade. The plastic ends up entering the human beings, lessening the impact of global food chain, because part of the micro- In 2050, according to the estimate of the warming. plastics that float on the sea mix and merge Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the oceans with plankton; as a result, fish eat it and 3 billion could contain more plastics than fish. and we in turn eat them. A recent study More than 3 billion people depend on Each year, more than 8 million tons of conducted by the University of Newcastle marine and coastal biodiversity for their plastic are discharged into the seas, which (Australia), at the request of the WWF, livelihood. is equivalent to discharging a dump truck calculated for the first time that the amount full of plastics every minute. of plastics we eat is about the size of a $ 3 billion Plastic garbage is the ocean is estimated to credit card per week. At a global level, the market value of already exceed 5 billion pieces of plastic, marine and coastal resources and industries FIGURES weighing roughly more than 150 million tons. is estimated at 3 billion dollars yearly, 75% around 5% of global GDP. Only 9% of all the plastic manufactured in the whole world is recycled. The ocean covers three quarters of the More than 8 million plastic particles reach Earth’s surface and represents 99% of the the sea every day. In Spain, 50% of the plastics that reach the living space of the planet by volume. waste management systems end up in Since the 50s, more than 8.3 billion tons of dums without being recycled. 200,000 plastic have been manufactured. 45% of the plastics used in Spain are only for The ocean contains almost 200,000 40% of the current production is aimed at packaging. identified species, but the real figures may non-reusable packaging. be in the millions. Around 70% of marine waste drops to the Each minute, one million plastic bottles are bottom of the ocean, and therefore only a purchased in the world. small part of it floats.

GOAL 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources 5 for sustainable development ACTIONS

Last summer, the authorities of the Purchase sustainable sea products in exfoliating products. Instead, choose Australian city of Kwinana installed a new cosmetics with natural compounds such as Many species are depleting due to filtering system in the Henley reserve. This clay, dried fruit shells or seeds. demand and poor fishing practices. It is system is incredibly simple, but useful. Both important to look for brands or businesses Say “no” to disposable razors the Government and the citizens have that sell marine products certified as using already seen the benefits of using it and are Replace them with an electric razor or a sustainable practices. very pleased that they did. metal razor with replaceable blades (the Use biodegradable products at the beach old-fashioned ones), which will allow you to It consists of a net that is placed in the save a great deal of money. outlet of a drain pipe that helps catch large There are biodegradable sunscreens and debris and protects the environment from suntan lotions that do not do any harm to Do not leave rubbish on the beach pollution. marine species; try to purchase these kinds During your holidays, it is important to take of products: they indicate in their label that Use fewer plastic products care of the waste you generate and not are environmentally friendly. expect someone else to do so for you. Plastic is one of the main threats to the Avoid the use of cosmetics that contain Show your culture of environmental respect ocean. In order to limit its impact, you can plastic microspheres and, if you find any rubbish on your way, stop using PET bottles and replace them you can help collect it. With this simple with a thermos, and use fabric bags to do Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) action, you will be contributing to not the shopping. and/or nylon. They are usually contained polluting the sea.

auren.com 6 Travel by sea responsibly Do not drink bottled water friendly, since they do not contain polytetrafluoroethylene, i.e., what we all If you practice some sports such as Take advantage of the quality of the water know as the registered trademark Teflon. kayaking or other activities in the water, in Spain and drink water from the tap. We do not throw anything into the sea and be will thus be reducing the use of packaging Wooden matches / refillable metal lighters aware of the marine life that lives in the and the pollution of our seas and our Do you need a lighter? Avoid plastic water around you. If you are planning to planet. ACTIONS lighters and use wooden matches or take a cruise, choose the option that is the Reduce and recycle refillable metal lighters, which are also most environmentally-friendly. prettier. Because we can avoid the use of If you cannot reduce the consumption of Do not purchase products that affect plastic even in the smallest details. plastic any further, reuse these products marine life whenever you can and recycle in the Buy in bulk Avoid purchasing products that damage corresponding containers. Save plastic by buying everything you can the marine ecosystem, such as coral or Plastic-free frying pan in bulk. Reuse all the bags you have (even seashell jewellery or accessories made of if you use plastic bags). You can use net hawksbill turtles or sharks. If it is time to replace your old frying pan, bags, which are also very useful for storing choose one made of ceramic, iron, Reduce CO emissions and the food. As they let the air flow, they keep fruit, 2 copper or titanium. These are materials consumption of energy greens and vegetables fresh for longer. that are much more environmentally- The effects of climate change on the oceans can be reduced if we reduce the emissions of CO2 with small actions such as stopping using the car or reducing its use, starting to use compact fluorescent lightbulbs, switching off the lights, etc. Support organisations that work in favour of the oceans There are many organisations that work in order to protect marine habitats; you can support these institutions with voluntary work, financial support or advertising

GOAL 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources 7 for sustainable development committed to

EUROPE Poland AMERICA MIDDLE EAST ASIA-PACIFIC Andorra Portugal Argentina AND AFRICA Australia Austria Romania Bolivia Algeria Bangladesh Belgium Russia Brazil Angola China Bulgaria Serbia Canada Egypt India Croatia Spain Chile Israel Indonesia Cyprus Sweden Colombia Jordan Japan Czech Republic Switzerland Costa Rica Kenya Malaysia Denmark The Netherlands Dominican Republic Kuwait New Zealand Finland Ukraine Ecuador Lebanon Pakistan France United Kingdom El Salvador Mauricio Singapore Germany Guatemala Morocco South Korea Greece Honduras Nigeria Thailand Hungary Mexico Saudi Arabia Vietnam Ireland Panama South Africa Italy Paraguay Tunisia Luxembourg Peru Turkey Malta Uruguay UAE Montenegro USA Uganda Norway Venezuela

ASSOCIATES

Follow us on social media auren.com