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The Great Barrier Reef: An Environmental History (Earthscan Oceans)

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Earthscan Oceans: A Comprehensive Guide to Global Marine Issues

The oceans are a vast and complex system that covers over 70% of the Earth's surface. They are home to an incredible diversity of life, from microscopic plankton to massive whales. The oceans also play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate and providing food, water, and other resources for humans.

However, the oceans are facing a number of serious environmental threats, including climate change, pollution, and overfishing. These threats are putting the health of the oceans and the people who depend on them at risk.

The Great Barrier Reef: An Environmental History (Earthscan Oceans)

by Ben Daley

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4072 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	395 pages

History of Ocean Exploration

Humans have been exploring the oceans for centuries. The earliest known sea voyages were made by the Polynesians, who sailed across the Pacific Ocean to settle the Hawaiian Islands. In the 15th century, European explorers began to explore the Atlantic Ocean, and by the 16th century, they had reached the Americas.

Over the centuries, ocean exploration has been driven by a number of factors, including trade, warfare, and scientific curiosity. In the 19th and 20th centuries, advances in technology, such as the development of the submarine and the bathyscaphe, allowed scientists to explore the deep ocean for the first time.

Environmental Threats to the Oceans

The oceans are facing a number of serious environmental threats, including:

Climate change: Climate change is causing the oceans to warm and acidify. This is having a number of negative impacts on marine life, including coral bleaching, fish die-offs, and the loss of sea ice.
Pollution: The oceans are being polluted by a variety of sources, including land-based runoff, industrial waste, and oil spills. Pollution can harm marine life, damage coral reefs, and contaminate seafood.
Overfishing: Overfishing is a major threat to marine fish populations. Overfishing can lead to the collapse of fish stocks, which can have a devastating impact on marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them for food and income.

The Future of the Oceans

The future of the oceans is uncertain. However, there is growing recognition of the importance of the oceans and the need to protect them. A number of international agreements have been adopted to protect the oceans, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

In addition, a number of non-governmental organizations are working to protect the oceans. These organizations are working to raise awareness of the threats facing the oceans, to promote sustainable fishing practices, and to reduce pollution.

The future of the oceans depends on the choices we make today. We can choose to protect the oceans and ensure that they continue to provide us with food, water, and other resources. Or we can continue to pollute and overfish the oceans, which will lead to their eventual collapse.