Life Under the Sea
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The United Nations’ annual World
Wildlife Day (March 3) is focusing on marine species for the first time.
This year's theme Life Below
Water: for people and planet highlights the critical issues
facing ocean wildlife and their value to our everyday lives.
UN Development Program Head of
Biodiversity and Ecosystems Midori Paxton notes: “Over three billion people
depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods and primary
source of protein."
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and
Patti Kishel learned that the estimated market value of marine and coastal
resources and industries is $3 trillion per year. Plus, oceans help to reduce the
impact of climate change – something that’s good for all of us!
To protect our ocean ecosystems for
future generations, Paxton says, “a comprehensive global response is needed
that scales up successful nature-based initiatives.”
Children around the world agree and
are expressing this in their artwork.
Paxton adds that currently "the
capacity of life below water is severely impacted from an onslaught of threats,
including climate change, marine pollution, habitat destruction, and unsustainable
fishing practices."
To build awareness and commitment to
protecting ocean sea life, the UN is teaming up again with the annual Jackson
Hole Wildlife Film Festival to
organize an international film showcase – this time addressing the challenges confronting
marine wildlife and the ocean.
Lisa Samford, the Jackson Hole,
Wyoming, film festival’s executive director, says “Our aim is to galvanize the
power of media to inspire wonder, catalyze change and move the dial on the
conservation of marine species and ecosystems.”
SurfWriter Girls are glad to see
that this year's World Wildlife Day is bringing attention and support to the world
beneath the sea. It’s ready for its closeup!
Lights,
camera, action!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti
Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications
wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com
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as long as credit is given.
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