SDG 14: An Understanding of Life Below Water
- Wilhelminah Juma
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
The earth is 70% covered by water, harbouring thousands of ecosystems that depend on aquatic environments as their main and only habitat for survival. Oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands all play a critical role in sustaining marine and terrestrial life. However, human activities are putting these ecosystems in grave danger.
In recent years, household, industrial, and transportation waste has been increasingly dumped into water sources, with solid and liquid waste finding its way into rivers, lakes, and oceans. From the vast oceans to small local springs, many water bodies are constantly threatened by exploiting and misusing natural resources. Encroachment on riparian land, pollution, and the degradation of water catchment areas are causing many water sources to dry up. This poses a threat to human access to clean and healthy water and places numerous aquatic species at risk of extinction.
Wetlands, which host 40% of the world’s plant and animal species, including 30% of all known fish species and over 100,000 freshwater species, are especially vulnerable. Human activities aimed at fulfilling basic needs like food, shelter, and water have severely degraded wetlands, jeopardizing the delicate balance of life they support. Over 200 new species are discovered yearly in wetlands, yet this incredible biodiversity is rapidly declining due to unsustainable practices.
Much river pollution stems from informal settlements, where waste management systems are either inadequate or non-existent. Domestic waste, including raw sewage, ends up in rivers without proper sanitation and drainage systems. Additionally, industries in urban areas often dump untreated industrial waste into waterways. For example, tanneries, cloth manufacturers, and leather processing plants contribute to river pollution.
The effects of this pollution are far-reaching. The same polluted water irrigates market gardens, contaminating the crops that feed entire cities. Furthermore, polluted rivers carry harmful chemicals and debris downstream, eventually reaching the ocean and disrupting marine ecosystems. This pollution affects aquatic life and the human populations that rely on marine biodiversity for food and livelihoods.
For humans to coexist with the life underwater, we must recognize our profound connection to marine ecosystems. Even small, local water bodies such as rivers and wetlands are part of the larger hydrological cycle that connects all water sources, from rivers to oceans. The water we pollute in one place eventually makes its way to the oceans, carrying with it the pollutants and chemicals that harm marine biodiversity.
By caring for the small aquatic ecosystems around us, we contribute to the health of larger marine systems. Simple actions, such as reducing plastic waste, supporting sustainable fisheries, and advocating for stronger environmental protections, can significantly impact our oceans' health.
We need a multi-pronged approach focused on waste management improvements, marine protection policies, and global cooperation to address these growing threats. Investing in proper waste disposal systems, especially in urban areas, hotels in the coastal regions, and those near the marine ecosystems and informal settlements, is essential. Governments and local authorities must prioritize establishing sustainable waste collection, treatment, and recycling programs. Industries should be held accountable for treating wastewater before releasing it into the environment. Moreover, public awareness campaigns can educate communities about the impact of improper waste disposal on marine life and the importance of keeping water sources clean.
Governments must implement and enforce stricter regulations to protect water bodies from pollution and over-exploitation. Marine protected areas (MPAs) should be established and expanded to conserve critical habitats such as wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs. These MPAs will preserve biodiversity and ensure that ecosystems continue providing essential services, such as carbon storage and food security.
Since oceans and rivers span borders, international collaboration is key to addressing marine pollution and biodiversity loss. Countries must work together to regulate maritime activities, reduce plastic waste, and share best practices for sustainable fisheries management. Initiatives like the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources, provide a framework for global cooperation.
In conclusion, protecting life below water is not just about safeguarding marine species it’s about ensuring a healthy planet for future generations. By improving waste management, enforcing marine protection policies, and fostering global cooperation, we can secure the future of our oceans and the incredible diversity of life they support.
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