We often overlook the role that our oceans play in combating climate change and global warming. From absorbing significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions to even creating jobs and causing economic growth in countries, protecting our oceans should be one of our topmost priorities. Recently, the United Nation's has also come to realise that more funding should be devoted to the resource that covers over 70% of our surface. Their sustainability goal of "Life Below Water" seems to have been overlooked in the past but is garnering more attention today. The UN's "High Seas Treaty" is one such measure that is directed to protect the biodiversity and fish-stock of oceans and aims to have more sustainable oceans in the next 7 years.
According to the World Bank, a Blue Economy is the "sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem." A summary of some practices that you can find in a Blue Economy are shown below.
According to Chiefs at Morgan Stanley, three central areas of investment in a Blue Economy are:
Investments made in Decarbonisation of the Maritime Industry
Sustainable investments in aquaculture practices
Renewable Energy
To get an understanding of these factors, I have outlined them below.
Investments made in Decarbonisation of the Maritime Industry
The Maritime Industry is concerned with sea travel and trade; over 75% percent of all global trade takes place through Maritime means. According to the UNCTAD "The maritime sector presently accounts for about 2.8% of all global greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions[1], mainly due to its rapid growth, its dependence on carbon-intensive bunkers, and the sheer size of its business". Thus, investments made in the decarbonisation efforts toward the Maritime Industry can contribute to electrically powered shipment vehicles and low carbon fuels, allowing us to move toward a Blue Economy.
Investments in Sustainable Aquaculture
Aquaculture is defined as the "cultivation of aquatic organisms" and is a form of agriculture. Global food stores of fish, crustaceans and other sea foods are mostly from aquaculture methods themselves. However, as our global population is on the rise, demand for such foods are rising and this is placing a negative pressure on the populations of aquatic animals. Investment opportunities in this industry thus lies within expanding aquaculture practices themselves. You can find a video explaining this concept in more detail below.
Renewable Energy
Economies around the world are heading toward a more renewable future on land. Why not take these practices toward the ocean based industries as well? Today, there are new means of obtaining renewable energy from the ocean, such as using floating wind based turbines and other methods to obtain tidal energy. These methods are predicted to be able to satiate all our global energy needs in the next 15-20 years and thus, are an amazing investment opportunity!
Sustainability is a cause that is relevant today more than ever! Don't be scared to raise your voice and spread awareness about it. Be smart about your investments by looking at the larger picture. Stay sustainable!
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