The ocean, covering 71% of Earth’s surface, sustains life on our “Blue Planet” by regulating climate and feeding billions. At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France, global leaders emphasized its role as humanity’s “blue lungs,” absorbing 20-30% of human-caused carbon emissions while supporting nearly 3 billion people through fisheries and coastal economies.
A Journalist’s Call to Action
Kate Johnson, a journalist and ocean advocate, shares her firsthand encounters with marine ecosystems from Spain’s coasts to Cambodia’s Koh Rong. “Swimming among vibrant coral reefs and schools of fish reminded me how interconnected we are with these hidden worlds,” she says. Yet these ecosystems face unprecedented threats from deep-sea mining, overfishing, and plastic pollution.
Scientists warn that destroying deep-sea habitats could disrupt carbon storage mechanisms, accelerating climate change. Meanwhile, declining fish stocks jeopardize food security across Asia and beyond. “Protecting the ocean isn’t just about saving species—it’s about safeguarding our collective future,” Johnson stresses.
As nations work toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, experts urge stronger policies to regulate offshore industries and expand marine protected areas. For travelers, researchers, and policymakers alike, the message is clear: preserving ocean biodiversity is a shared responsibility with global consequences.
