The Health of the Ocean

Take a deep breath. Now take another deep breath. The oxygen you inhaled for your second breath came from the ocean. The ocean is a gift to all of us as it provides 70% of the world’s oxygen according to National Geographic. Specifically, phytoplankton, tiny organisms found at the water’s surface, are responsible for producing much of the air we breathe. As you can see, the health of the ocean directly affects us and, unfortunately, the ocean is under the weather.

Our planet is warming, with 2015 officially the hottest year ever recorded. A warming planet leads to a warming ocean, which leads to many harmful and life threatening affects. These affects include, coral bleaching or ‘whitening’ of coral, rising ocean temperatures, and ocean acidification. The ocean has already lost around 40% of its coral reefs. Coral reefs are vitally important for the ocean ecosystem, supporting a quarter of all marine life. Loss of coral reefs affects the ocean’s food chain and the food supply for many nations who depend on the fishing industry. 

Researchers have also found that the ocean is absorbing over 90% of heat energy generated by manmade greenhouse gas emissions.  This accelerates the warming of the waters and warm water holds less oxygen.

As more carbon dioxide is spewed into the atmosphere, the ocean is becoming more acidic. The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is being absorbed by the ocean and converted into carbonic acid, creating a highly acidic ocean. This increase in acidity is threatening the ocean, especially shellfish. Studies have shown that the shells of tiny snails are dissolving because of the amount of acid in the water.

Although the future may look grim and the issues seem too manage, we can and must be a part of the solution. Our everyday actions greatly impact our planet and the ocean. From the food we eat to the amount we drive. It is important to share information about solutions with family, friends, co-workers, on social media, and as far and wide as you can. If you are already using reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils, take it to the next level - drive less, eat less meat, get involved in your local community and with politics.

When Mother Nature is sick, it is our duty to nurse her back to health. As Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action, once said, “What’s not to love about the ocean? It’s resilient. If you give the ocean a chance to heal, it can come back. That’s a powerful message for all of us.’’

US Senator Frank Lautenberg - A True Blue Ocean Champion

US SENATOR FRANK LAUTENBERG:
A TRUE BLUE OCEAN CHAMPION

By Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf 

Today, services were held for Senator Lautenberg, a great ocean champion and long-time friend of Clean Ocean Action.  

For nearly 30 years, I have had the joy, pleasure and honor of working with Senator Lautenberg. He tirelessly defended our coastal heritage and the deep blue.  He has been the sage voice and warrior for the environment.  Everyone who enjoys a day at the beach, catching a wave, reeling in a big fish, or sipping a cool drink of water, can thank Senator Lautenberg.  Indeed, everyone who takes a deep breath of clean air is a beneficiary of Senator Lautenberg’s work:  The Green Godfather of the US Senate. 

Senator Lautenberg took office when the waters off the NY/NJ coasts were the ocean dumping capital of the world.  Our beaches were trashed and ocean waters were plagued with pollution.  He led the US Senate in passing several federal laws, including:

• Ocean Dumping Ban Act—Which ended ocean dumping of municipal and industrial waste, 
• Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act—Which made it illegal to dump plastics in the ocean, 
• New York/New Jersey Bight Restoration Plan — Which mandated the EPA to create a plan to restore the waters off the NY and NJ coasts,
• BEACH Act (Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act) — Which sets national standards to ensure waters are safe for swimming,
• Medical Waste Tracking Act—Which required tracking of certain medical wastes including syringes,
• Oil Spill Protection Act – Which required a double-hull protective layer on newly constructed ships in response to devastating oil spills and
• Rising Ocean Acidification – Which required the government to study and abate ocean acidification. 

In addition, for decades he led the national fight to stop offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.  In response to the BP Oil Spill, Senator Lautenberg said, “oil drilling is a clear and present danger to our health, our environment, and our economy.”

Senator Lautenberg worked to continue funding for programs that celebrate the resources of the ocean and improved water quality for today and future generations.   His commitment to clean ocean economies and those whose livelihoods depend upon them was unwavering.  He was vigilant about ensuring that “a day at the beach should never turn into a day at the doctor’s office.”

Memories are many -- press conferences on the boardwalk defending water quality or battling Big Oil,  joining citizens cleaning up litter on the beaches, listening and talking with the small and the tall about their treasured stories of the shore, and at committee hearings firmly challenging those who would harm the environment. These and many more reflect a true blue man of the people, and a believer in the power and importance of a clean and healthy environment.

As we move forward, we will continue to fight to protect the ocean that he championed.  We will work to honor his extraordinary achievements with the designation of the Clean Ocean Zone, and will preserve his record of environmental accomplishments.