Why is the Blue Economy concept important for sustainable

development and economic growth?

Oceans protect biodiversity, provides food, jobs, drive economic

growth, keep the planet cool, and absorb about 30% of global CO2
emission. At least 3-5% of global GPD (Gross Domestic Product) is
derived from oceans but their overall health is reaching a tipping
point. Close to a third of fish stocks are overfished, climate change
affects coastal and marine ecosystems, and unbridled development in
the coastal zone is causing erosion and marine pollution. Business as
usual will have great negative environmental and social impacts,
which are expected to disproportionally affect vulnerable groups of
the population, particularly women and girls. This is reflected in
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14), which calls to conserve and
sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development. Not only do they help to buffer the impacts of climate
change, these delicate ecosystems also provide habitats for millions of
species, more than half the oxygen we breathe and food for more than
a billion people. Essentially, our survival depends on healthy seas.