GOAL 14: Life Below Water
Objective: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
The Targets
Why it matters: The oceans cover three quarters of the Earth’s surface but what few people realise is that they are essential for making the planet inhabitable: rainwater, drinking water and climate are all regulated by ocean temperatures and currents. Over 3 billion people depend on marine life for their livelihood. Oceans absorb 30% of all carbon dioxide produced by humans. Yet despite their importance to the world’s ecosystem, there has been a 26% increase in acidification since the industrial revolution, over 30% of marine habitats have been all but destroyed, and 30% of the world’s fish stocks are over-exploited.