Challenges
Learn about biodiversity, ecology and the sustainability issues affecting Goal 14, Ireland and your local areas. Click on each to find out more or scroll down to explore Goal 14 in depth.
LAND USE
As one of the greatest threats to aquatic life, land use change and the intensification of agriculture has destroyed thousands of acres of vital habitats. Is that beef burger really worth our last breath?
POLLUTION
Plastic, industrial, chemical; how many sources of pollution can you identify? Did you ever think about the clothes on your own back? The sources of pollution in modern life are staggering and hard to identify. Let's recognize them together.
Despite being only 486 km long and 275 km wide, Ireland’s seashores stretch for over 5,600km. Most people have been lucky to visit the seashore at least once in their lifetimes, and Ireland’s beaches are prized tourist destinations. Additionally, Ireland has over 70,000 km of waterways contained in over 3,100 rivers, lakes and streams.
Unfortunately, these days we tend to know very little about what lies on our shores, from the different habitats and organisms that live there to the increasing threats they face. Ireland’s water-based ecosystems are under threat, but very few know how to protect, conserve and sustainably use them.
Sustainability is the ability to meet our own biological, social, and economic needs and growth, without compromising or damaging the environment, biodiversity and the needs of future generations.
GOAL 14
LIFE BELOW WATER
The Sustainable Development Goals, established by the United Nations, are 17 interconnected global goals designed to act as a shared blueprint for the peace and prosperity of the planet and its inhabitants. These goals are actioned upon to create a framework for life that allows Humankind to flourish in unison with nature, without damaging the environment, depleting earth’s natural resources or encroaching on the freedoms of others to better our own.
Sustainable Shores is designed to help put into action, the targets outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water in an accessible and user-friendly manner. Goal 14 sets out 7 outcome targets and 3 means of achieving targets for humanity to reach by the year 2030.
Sustainable development is development that meets the current needs of Humankind without compromising the needs of future generations or the ability of natural ecosystems to provide natural resources.
Why Goal 14?
Our oceans are the largest, most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. They produce over half of the oxygen we breathe, regulate the climate, and directly provide food and livelihoods for 3 billion people around the world.
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All complex life on Earth depends on our oceans. However, our oceans are facing numerous threats which are leading to a rapid decline in biodiversity and ecosystem health. These threats not only impact the ocean but also have ripple effects on the entire planet, affecting everything from weather patterns to food security.
The onward march of the climate crisis and each of the challenges associated with it is frightening. While we cannot completely stop climate change, we can reduce its effects. If we don’t, we may face mass extinction events and the total collapse of global biodiversity in our lifetimes.
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Now more than ever, we need to start living sustainably and in equilibrium with nature. To live sustainably, everything a person requires for life in modern society (food, water, shelter, clothes, education, transport, etc.) needs to be consumed at a rate that allows natural resources to be replenished.
This requires a collective effort from individuals, governments, and organizations worldwide to protect and restore ocean health and biodiversity through sustainable practices and policies.
GOAL 14
01
Reduce marine pollution
02
Protect and restore Ecosystems
03
​Reduce ocean acidification
04
Sustainable fishing
05
Conserve coastal and marine areas
06
End subsidies contributing to overfishing
07
Increase the economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources
OUTCOME TARGETS
A
To increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health
B
To support small scale fishers
C
To implement and enforce international sea law
MEANS OF ACHIEVING TARGETS
