Goal 14 Life Below Water

Goal 14 is about conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Covering three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, the ocean contains 97% of our water and represents 99% of the planet’s living space by volume. It is essential to human life, providing food, medicine, and coastal protection from storms, while acting as our planet’s greatest carbon sink.

However, marine pollution is reaching critical levels. Over 17 million metric tons of waste clogged the ocean in 2021—a figure projected to double or triple by 2040—with plastic being the most harmful pollutant. Despite rising conservation efforts, only 10% of the ocean is currently designated as a marine protected area, which is well below the 30% target set for 2030. Just 47% of key marine biodiversity areas are formally protected, while ocean warming, acidification, and overfishing continue to threaten these fragile ecosystems.

In a major breakthrough, the landmark BBNJ Agreement to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction came into force on January 17, 2026. This treaty covers two-thirds of the ocean outside national limits, offering a massive step forward in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Still, the ocean’s average pH has dropped to 8.1—making it 30% more acidic than in pre-industrial times. This acidification threatens marine life, disrupts food webs, and compromises our own food security. Careful global management and increased funding for ocean science are urgently needed to protect this vast, fragile resource.

Why?

The ocean is our planet’s life support system, regulating the global climate and hosting nearly a million known species. While oceans and fisheries support our essential economic, social, and environmental needs, decades of irresponsible exploitation have led to alarming degradation.

So what’s the problem?

The ocean absorbs about 29% of all human-generated CO2 emissions and over 90% of the excess heat in our climate system. This record-breaking heat is killing coral reefs. We are currently experiencing the most widespread and intense global coral bleaching event on record, which affected 84% of reefs globally between 2023 and 2025. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that we could lose up to 90% of corals by 2050 with just 1.5°C of warming.

At the same time, between 5 and 12 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually, costing industries and clean-up efforts roughly $13 billion per year. Shockingly, about 89% of plastic litter found on the ocean floor consists of single-use items like plastic bags.

Furthermore, coastal areas host about 80% of global tourism. While this industry supports over a third of the workforce in some nations, unmanaged tourism threatens the very natural resources, local cultures, and industries that rely on it.

How is the ocean connected to our health?

Our health is intimately tied to the ocean. Marine biodiversity holds immense potential for developing new pharmaceuticals, while global fisheries provide 57 million jobs and serve as the primary source of protein for over half of the population in the world’s least developed countries.

So, what can we do?

The UN Ocean Conference in June 2025 generated fresh momentum, with countries making over 800 commitments toward marine protection, pollution control, and high-seas governance. Protecting the open ocean requires strong international cooperation to build effective, well-managed systems of government-protected areas.

On a local level, you can make a difference by making ocean-friendly choices when buying products or seafood, consuming only what you need, and actively reducing your use of single-use plastics.