Life Under Water - SDG 14

 In my Humanities class, my peers and I are studying the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). There are 17 of them. Currently, we're writing an essay about one of (our choice), the SDGs. The one I chose is SDG 14 - Life Under Water. In the past, we've studied SDG 2, Zero Hunger, SDG 5, Gender Equality, and SDG 11, Sustainable Communities and Cities. We've gone on FE's (Field Experiences), for example, we went to City Hall to listen in on a budget committee and city operations meeting for SDG 11. We went to Lincoln Park Community Shelter, to make and serve food for people who aren't as fortunate as some, for SDG 2. We also went to the Center on Halsted for SDG 5. We've also been working on a curriculum for most of the SDGs.

Did you know that more than 6 billion pounds of garbage (mainly plastic), ends up in the oceans every year? The United Nations are hoping that by 2025, they can prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds such as marine debris and nutrient pollution. SDG 14 is trying to get rid of water pollution, end unregulated fishing and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. To make sure this SDG is achieved, the UN is developing a framework on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. “Fish stocks must be maintained at a biologically sustainable level. Analyses reveal that the fraction of world marine fish stocks that are within biologically sustainable levels declined from 90 percent in 1974 to 66.9 percent in 2015” (United Nations). As of 2018, the UN has also achieved protecting almost 20 percent of waters under national jurisdiction. A massive increase from 12 percent in 2015. The global average of protected areas has increased from 31.2 percent in 2000 to 45.7 percent in 2018. (United Nations).

Some progress that has been made for SDG 14 is from the UN Environmental Programme, they're regulating the reduction of wastewater, marine litter, and nutrient loading, which adds nutrients to the ecosystem. The UN Environment is the custodian of target 6.3.2 of SDG 14. "Still today, 80 percent of global wastewater goes untreated, containing everything from human waste to highly toxic industrial discharges. The nature and amount of pollutants in freshwater determines the suitability of water for many human uses such as drinking, bathing, and agriculture. In addition, pollution of freshwater ecosystems can impact the habitat and quality of life of fish and other wildlife" (UN Environmental Programme). The UN EP helps other countries with monitoring water and reports on their water qualities.

What can we do to prevent water from polluting further? You can get rid of your trash properly. Throwing it down the sink or drain could potentially destroy the process of sewage treatment, and stuff like diapers and water bottles could end up on beaches and on river banks. (Sonia Madaan) You can also conserve your water at home. Take shorter showers, turn off sinks when they're not in use (for example, when you're brushing your teeth.) Saving water can reduce the amount of water that needs to be treated. Skipping the use of plastics also helps. Plastic makes up the majority of water pollution, so using glass or other materials that are okay for the environment will lessen water pollution.

Cited Sources

15 Interesting Facts about Water Pollution, https://www.veluda.com/en/blog/15-endiaferon-dedomena-gia-ti-molunsi-tou-nerou-220.

Madaan, Sonia. “25 Amazing Ways to Prevent Water Pollution.” Earth Eclipse, 7 May 2016, https://www.eartheclipse.com/pollution/amazing-ways-to-prevent-water-pollution.html.

Tackling global water pollution, https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/water/what-we-do/tackling-global-water-pollution

“Goal 14 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform.” United Nations, United Nations, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg14.