OCEAN'S TIPPING POINT

Increased investment in marine conservation would bring profound benefits: healthy oceans support resilient economies and communities by strengthening food and water security and generating sustainable livelihoods

- Rita Maria El Zaghloul

Since 1971, the ocean has absorbed more than 90 per cent of the excess heat caused by human-generated climate change, pushing it to the brink of collapse. The fact that the world is currently experiencing the largest coral-bleaching event on record is a warning sign of the dangers ahead. In fact, without urgent action, the ocean will soon cross a tipping point, threatening the extinction of marine life and millions of livelihoods.

Fish are a key source of protein for about 3.3 billion people. More than 270 million workers are employed in the tourism sector, making it one of the world's largest industries, with seaside holiday destinations, such as the Bahamas and Seychelles, having a particularly high concentration of workers in tourism. Coral reefs alone provide goods and services valued at roughly $2.7 trillion per year. Biodiversity collapse and climate-related disasters could cost trillions of dollars in lost productive capacity, and have wide-reaching consequences for public health, economic stability, and global security.