Emerging Impacts on our Ocean World
Every new technology and sustainable intention will affect the ocean. Dr Anjani Ganase, marine biologist, laments the idea that the ocean seems still ripe for exploitation. Currently there are three long-standing drivers of change impacting ocean biodiversity – over exploitation, pollution and climate change. Expanding human appetites continue to chip away at natural resources, with no regard for other life and without proper management of waste. In addition to these chronic conditions, a recent study produced a global checklist of emerging issues that are likely to become substantial in the next five to ten years. Several marine scientists, practitioners, policy makers around the world surveyed the likely issues affecting our ocean. The major issues emerge under the themes of ecosystem impacts, resource exploitation and the consequences of new technology and shifting standards. Here we review some of the major impacts on the ocean in the near future. Ocean world: 70...