The World Bank defines the blue economy or blue economy as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth , improved livelihoods and employment, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.”
The oceans generate at least half of the Earth’s oxygen , are home to most of the planet’s biodiversity, and provide the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. All this explains how the blue economy is today the eighth largest economy in the world.
Today, June 8, World Oceans Day , we claim the role of these ecosystems in our daily lives and the pressing need to conserve them, as they are the lungs of the Earth, they provide us with food and medicine and are an important part of the biosphere. .
Returning to the blue economy, we leave you with 10 figures related to it and the oceans, which have been compiled by Deutsche Bank and which give us an idea of its enormous importance.
1. The blue economy is valued at 24 trillion dollars
The direct and indirect ocean industry is estimated to be worth $24 trillion. Directly, fishing reserves, marine vegetation, coral reefs and mangroves are taken into account. All this has an estimated value of 6.9 billion dollars. Indirectly, it is estimated that maritime routes are valued at 5.2 billion dollars, coastal production, including tourism, 7.8 billion dollars and the absorption of atmospheric CO₂ by the ocean, which also has an estimated economic value of 4.3 billion dollars.
2. The economy of 3 billion people depends on the oceans and seas
According to the European Commission, the blue economy employed 5 million people in 2018, mainly in jobs related to coastal tourism and offshore wind energy. It is also estimated that, by 2030, there will be around 40 million workers in the entire ocean-related sector.
3. It employs 18.4% of the Spanish active population
Given the importance of coastal tourism, up to 18.4% of the Spanish workforce depends directly on the oceans or is integrated into its industry. This is a higher percentage than Greece (11.9%), Germany (10.9%), Italy (10.6%), the United Kingdom (10.4%) and France (7.4%).
4. It generates about 2.5 billion dollars a year
The blue economy generates at least $2.5 trillion a year in terms of economic value and is expected to grow at twice the rate of the conventional economy by 2030.
5. It is expected that in 2029 180 million tons of fish will be consumed
It is estimated that by 2029 human consumption of fish will reach 180 million tons, thus increasing by 16.3% compared to current levels. Responsible for 75% of that rise will be Asia. Precisely, China is the country that fishes the most, with a total of 37.5% of the catches made by the five largest fishing countries in the world.
6. 33% of fish stocks are overexploited
Industrial fishing already accounts for 55% of the oceans. Combining this with the high figures of fish consumption, it is explained that 33% of the reserves in the world are overexploited.
7. Eight out of ten coastal cities are threatened by rising sea levels
The rise in sea level, as a consequence of global warming, threatens 8 out of 10 coastal cities. Nearly 10% of the world’s population lives in these areas, who have to live with the risk of flooding.
8. In 2100 there could be 2 billion people displaced by rising water temperatures
Global warming has increased the temperature of seas and oceans up to 0.76ºC in recent decades. It is estimated that 300 million people in the world will be directly affected by this phenomenon and that in 2100 the number of people displaced by rising waters could reach 2 billion people.
9. Eight million tons of plastic ends up in the water
In addition to rising water temperatures, plastics are also threatening the oceans. It is estimated that every 8 million tons of this material, which takes up to 480 years to decompose, ends up in the water.
10. Wind turbines installed in oceans and seas are expected to produce 30 GW by 2030
The oceans can generate social and economic opportunities, such as those being exploited by the pharmaceutical and food industries. Also, the sea can be a great wind resource if generators are installed. In fact, it is believed that by 2030 it will exceed 30 GW.
