The Lungs of The World

isilaatalay

May 6, 20243 min read

Over the past weekend, I had the opportunity to meet an inspiring photographer at the Galerie d’Italie through her exhibition, Christina Mittermeier. She is a Mexican-born photographer whose selection, "La grande saggezza" or "The Great Wisdom," in partnership with National Geographic, led to our encounter.

Christina's photos captivated me with their hopefulness and beauty. She uses her photography to show us communities from different parts of the world that still have a strong connection with nature.

One of the key concepts she emphasizes is "enoughness," as a way of considering our position within the global ecosystem. She highlights that every community on Earth is interconnected within the global ecosystem, and the choices we make today collectively shape the future of our planet. Personally, I believe that we can't just leave fixing climate change to the next generation. It's up to us right now to make a change.

In particular, Mittermeier, as a marine biologist underscores the critical importance of understanding that the health of the oceans directly impacts our climate. Oceans cover approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface and can store carbon for a long period of time. The article referenced from The New York Times discusses how the warming of the oceans due to greenhouse gases contributes significantly to rising sea levels and other climate changes. According to a study published by the Ellen McArthur Foundation in 2016, if we do not put a stop to the plastic craze, there will be more plastic than fish in the seas by 2050.

The ocean generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90 percent of the excess heat generated by these emissions. It is not just ‘the lungs of the planet’ but also its largest ‘carbon sink'—a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change. About 30% of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, is absorbed into the world’s oceans. This absorption leads to the production of carbonic acid, which increases the acidity of the oceans. This heightened acidity promotes the breakdown of calcium carbonate, crucial for the skeletons of animals like corals, by depleting the ocean’s carbonate ions. Without these ions, marine life faces significant challenges. Ocean acidification threatens marine life and ecosystems.

Moreover, the oceans play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by exchanging gases with the atmosphere and supporting marine ecosystems. Ocean habitats such as seagrasses and mangroves, along with their associated food webs, can sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at rates up to four times higher than terrestrial forests can. Their ability to capture and store carbon makes mangroves highly valuable in the fight against climate change.

Mangroves are some of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on the planet, storing on average 1,000 metric tons of carbon per hectare in their biomass and underlying soils. In addition, these ecosystems also support healthy fisheries, improve water quality, and provide coastal protection against floods and storms.

Coral reefs are among the most ecologically and economically valuable ecosystems on our planet. Covering less than 0.1 percent of the world’s ocean, they support over 25 percent of marine biodiversity and serve up to a billion people with coastal protection, fisheries, sources of medicine, recreational benefits, and tourism revenues.

Marine protected areas—areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation aims—offer one of the best options to maintain the ocean’s health. Today, marine protected areas cover 6.35 percent of the ocean—almost ten times as much as in 2000. Further expanding these areas is critical for protecting coral reefs and mangroves and maintaining the ocean’s climate change resilience.

Through her work, Christina Mittermeier reminds us that we're all connected—all life on Earth—and the urgent need for collective action to protect our planet and its ecosystems for present and future generations.

As we reflect on the critical role of our oceans in sustaining life on Earth. By working together and prioritizing the health of our oceans, we can build a more sustainable and resilient world for all.

So let's embrace Christina Mittermeier's call to action and become stewards of our planet. Let's protect our oceans, preserve biodiversity, and safeguard the beauty and wonder of our natural world. Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and for future generations. The time to act is now.

Thank you for reading.

References

All photos shared above are taken from the Christina Mittermeier's exhibition.

The Lungs of The World

References

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