Goal 14 - Life Below Water
The oceans, along with coastal and marine resources, play an important role in human well-being and social and economic development worldwide. Oceans help regulate the global ecosystem by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and protecting coastal areas from flooding and erosion. However, these resources are extremely vulnerable to environmental degradation, overfishing, climate change, and pollution. Although some progress has been made over the years in expanding marine protected areas and tackling illegal fishing, more concerted efforts and acceleration are urgently needed.
