Dear Editor:
Do you know what SDGs are? SDGs are sustainable development goals. These goals were made in 2012 by the United Nations in order to make the world a better place. SDG 14, “Life Below Water, aims to reduce marine pollution, protect and restore the oceans ecosystem.
The United Nations plans to do this by reducing ocean acidification, encouraging sustainable fishing, conserving coastal and marine areas, and ending subsidies contributing to overfishing and illegal fishing. Those are some of the development goals for SDG 14, and they are aimed to be finished by 2020 or 2030.
As is obvious, 2020 is over and that is a problem. Our government promised that they would finish the protect and restore ecosystems, sustainable fishing,conserve coastal and marine areas and subsidies contributing to overfishing goals by 2020. The majority of them have not been achieved. That means that we, the general public, have to step up and solve some of these problems. Only 7.65% of the world’s coastal areas have been protected, but the goal was to save 10% by 2020.
So please, step up and save our oceans. They take up 70% of the planet. Without them we don’t stand a chance at survival. Help us with our goal to support SDG 14 and donate to the cause or spread awareness. Contact the newspaper and write a letter like I am doing now to let people know what’s going on.
By buying local and certified fish, you can support small-scale producers by shopping in local markets and shops. Stay informed, follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals. Find out more at globalgoals.org/goals/14-life-below-water.
Grace Hons,
Grade 8, John Black PS, Fergus