Why Oceans and Human Health?
Human health and wellbeing are inextricably linked to the health of the Ocean and other waterways.
How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean.
Arthur C Clarke
The majority (97%) of the Earth’s water is found in the Ocean. The seas, coasts and global Ocean are the planet’s largest interconnected ecosystem, covering 71% of its surface, providing 99% of its living space, as a home to 80% of all living organisms. The Ocean provides the majority of the planet’s oxygen and has an important role in climate regulation. Both historically and currently, the seas, coasts and Ocean provide food, transport, livelihoods, marine drugs and biotechnology, and support human health and wellbeing.
Globally, the Ocean and freshwater habitats are under threat, with marine ecosystems at risk of collapse from human-derived climate change, pollution, human encroachment, and resulting biodiversity loss. These impacts are greatest in communities with the least equal opportunity to obtain and maintain good health.
Why Ocean and Healthcare?
Like all industries, the Healthcare Sector has significant interactions with the Ocean and other water systems, both through its negative impacts (e.g., CO2 emissions, pharmaceutical and plastic pollution, container shipping, land use, and waste) and its dependencies (e.g., development of new medicines, materials to replace fossil fuel plastic, renewable energy and supply chains).
But Healthcare is also unique in its opportunity to contribute to nature and Ocean recovery. The Healthcare Sector can serve as a leader and model for intentionally identifying and eliminating the sources of fossil fuel, pharmaceutical and other pollution. And the Sector can promote nature positivity, not only in “green-blue prescribing” for individual patients and communities, but also in supporting and conserving biodiversity throughout the Healthcare systems.
Finally, healthcare personnel are trusted members of all societies. We can become informed about the impacts of the Healthcare Sector on the Ocean and other water systems. We can effectively advocate for the health of nature and the Ocean because this underpins the health and wellbeing of our patients and communities. By improving healthcare personnel climate, environmental and Ocean literacy, we can give them the confidence to communicate and inspire others to act.