Hello, this is the Sunhak Peace Prize, the Peace Prize for future generations!
The goal of the ‘Sustainable Ocean’ class is to inform students about the current status of marine pollution and depletion of fishery resources, as well as to introduce efforts for a sustainable marine environment. It’s also about allowing students to considerable different actions for a sustainable ocean!
The ‘Learn & Act’ education program of the Sunhak Peace Prize is an education program that educates youth in middle school and older on diverse approaches to global peace issues. Learn & Act can be a learning space where all global citizens can learn and act on global peace issues. The Sunhak Peace Prize provides such related education packages.
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| Sunhak Peace Prize Teacher’s Guide Sustainable ocean |
Source: Sunhak Peace Prize
The details of each education are based on statistical data from international organizations including the United Nations. Teachers can teach their students in the form of presentations after referring to the lesson guide provided. Students can express their own diverse opinions while organizing class content by using the student activity sheet provided while participating in class.
Now, let’s introduce the class materials!
The ocean is large enough to cover 71% of the Earth’s surface. It holds 97% of the water on Earth. The ocean produces about 70% of the oxygen in the atmosphere, and it even regulates the Earth’s weather through energy circulation. It is also called a treasure trove of resources as it is rich in diverse minerals and energy resources as well as various marine life.
Yet did you know that the sea is in danger right now?
What is making the sea diseases?
First, the cause is various kinds of garbage and pollutants from the land.
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| the ocean is not the Earth’s trash bin. – 80% of marine pollution comes from land. – What is the most common type of trash thrown away by people at the beach? |
Did you know that 80% of ocean pollution comes from land? What is the largest amount of beach trash thrown away by people around the world? This material is organized so that you can take a look and realize its seriousness.
Garbage dumped on the beach, and even various pesticides, pesticides, heavy metals, and radioactive substances, are entering the sea through rain and wind. Furthermore, as the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the use of fossil fuels increases, the acidity of the sea is increasing, which has a negative effect on sea creatures.
Second, pollution from inside the sea can also be a cause.
When a marine vessel accident occurs, the most vital thing is whether there are any casualties and the degree of oil spillage. Once oil enters the sea, it is difficult to restore it to its original state by human power. Even if we continuously clean up by investing huge amounts of money and manpower, merely approximately 20% of the spilled oil is recovered.
Third, excessive fishing is said to have a negative impact on the sea.
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| What is causing the ocean to die? (Overfishing) – Overfishing – Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing |
Overfishing is catching more fish than the rate at which marine life resources in the sea are being reproduced. With such a situation persisting, compared to 1950, one in three fish in our oceans has already become extinct. It has also been reported that illegal fishing and overfishing without regulating the spawning season or juvenile biological resources may cause an even larger problem.
Sustainable oceans, why is it important?
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| Why is ocean sustainability important? – Decrease in seafood supplies Loss ab ability to regulate climate Reduction of oxygen supply by 40% Accumulation of heavy metals in our bodies |
Continued ocean pollution not only reduces fish food but also loses the planet’s ability to control the climate. It will also reduce about 40% of the oxygen supply in the atmosphere, leaving us exposed to substances such as heavy metals. In spite of only oceans apparently being polluted now, it could happen that in the future, human bodies become polluted.
What can we do to save our polluted oceans?
We can teach about diverse international conventions and campaigns to save the world’s polluted seas. The class is structured so that students can consider what small actions they can take.
In 1997, a garbage island with a diameter of 1,600 km and a weight of 6.7 million tons was discovered in the middle of the sea. This is equivalent to two years’ worth of garbage dumped at the largest garbage dump in the United States. Garbage consists predominantly of plastic. It is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Twenty-four years have passed since the island of garbage was discovered. During this long period of time, our seas are becoming hurt more than they are being cleaned. It’s time to call for a sustainable ocean for clean, clear waters and for the future of humanity.
We hope that this will be an opportunity to instill awareness of such issues in students and to consider how to live as global citizens for a sustainable sea in the future! Thus far, we have introduced educational materials on the theme of ‘sustainable oceans’ prepared in ‘Learn & Act’ of the Sunhak Peace Prize and the global food crisis. We hope that it will be of great help to those who wish to educate themselves about sustainable oceans.
