It is not as you think, living below water is not a goal of the United Nations, perhaps some writers of science fiction novels or some researchers thought so. But the true meaning of this goal is cast in the essential goals of the United Nations, which is the sanctification of life in all its forms, including water life, reducing water pollution, and restoring balance to that nature. 

“The water and land resources are truly depleted, and nearly 87 million people lack access to drinking water.”
– Rola Dashti, Executive Director of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. [1]

What do we mean by life below water?

The ecosystem keeps its components as balanced as possible, bringing them together in harmony, kindness, and purity. But when the destructive hand of man enters the work of the environment, of course, it wreaks corruption. We see water and air pollution, and the consequences of extinction and global warming. To conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources is the true meaning of Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Because marine life and biodiversity are the livelihoods of more than three billion people on earth. However, we are witnessing excessive exploitation of about a third of the world’s fish stocks. [2]

What distinguishes these resources from others is that they are renewable, meaning that we can use them sustainably, but excessive use prevents their sustainability. Marine life is a real treasure. A valuable component of the ecological balance and its disruption, or the source of life for these organisms from polluting the waters and overfishing, will lead to unimaginable damages. 

What goals should we pursue to preserve “Life Below Water”?

 The problem is that pollution and its aftermath did not happen overnight. Rather, it has accumulated and amplified through time with the unconscious and unjust use of the services of nature, and the treasures it has provided us.

Did you know that the oceans cover 70% of the globe and contain nearly 200,000 living species? In contrast, 40% of the oceans are affected by pollution and overfishing, as they are the source of food and income for more than 10% of the population,  and other human activities. [2]

We must strive to achieve the following:

1. Prevent marine pollution of all kinds, especially from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution, by 2025. 
2. Manage coastal marine ecosystems sustainably and, of course, protect them.
3. The oceans can absorb an estimated 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, so we must strive to minimize ocean acidification and address its effects. 
4. Preserve at least 10% of the national coastal areas under national and international law.
5. Effective regulation of fishing. 
6. Increase scientific knowledge and research capabilities, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanography Standards and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology. 
7. Enhance the access of small-scale professional fishermen to marine resources and markets. 
8. Promote the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources. [3]

What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our path to “Life Below Water”? 

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the efforts of Arab countries to achieve the fourteenth goal of sustainable development goals. The decline in demand for seafood products, the disruption of international trade, and the movement of people. These matters have damaged the livelihood of many workers in the fisheries sector. The use of single-use plastic products to combat the pandemic has also been observed to increase pollution at the seabed and on beaches. In addition to the financial hardship, one of the collateral damages of the pandemic, prevented adequate efforts to be made in the face of marine pollution and the threat to the life of marine organisms. [4]

We shouldn’t forget about the environment; It is a treasure that man has surrounded himself with its blessings since ancient times, he lived on the food that was formed by the elements of nature. In the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative, we believe that life is sacred in all its forms, and that nature is not a right for anyone. So it is unfair to wreak corruption on it and destroy it.

Also read: Sustainable Development Goal 13.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN

[2] Humans of Taiz

[3] Sustainable Future

[4] UNESCWA