Our Blue Backyard

November 2024

The blue economy is a massive part of the global economy, worth over $3 trillion every year. It includes fishing, as well as industries such as shipping and deep sea mining. Ocean shipping alone helps move about 90% of the world’s trade.

Researchers are also developing medicines from marine life, such as extracts from sea sponges that could fight cancer and seaweed that can decrease inflammation. So the blue economy will only grow in importance in future years.

However, this depends on keeping the ocean healthy. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are damaging ocean life, and thus the blue economy. We need to decrease carbon emissions, focus on sustainable fishing, and work to decease ocean pollution to keep this valuable resource for marine and human life.