Have you ever thought that ‘saving the planet’ seems like the biggest task you will ever be given? It’s right up there with handling the back-to-school period with three kids. The difference? One comes with instructions – get uniforms, check shoes, complete holiday homework. The other? Simply, ‘do your part.’ But how? Some say plant trees, others say clean beaches. Yet, there’s one area of the planet that often gets overlooked but plays a monumental role in our survival – the ocean. More specifically, the tiny but mighty phytoplankton.
Why Phytoplankton Matter
When people think about protecting the ocean, they often consider marine animals like fish, turtles, or whales. But the true unsung heroes of the ocean are phytoplankton – microscopic organisms that serve as the foundation of the marine food web. They may be small, but their impact is immense. These tiny organisms produce between 50-70% of the Earth’s oxygen, making them more crucial to human survival than even the Amazon Rainforest.
Long before forests covered the land, phytoplankton were busy transforming the Earth’s atmosphere. Around 600 million years ago, the oxygen level in our atmosphere was below 5%. Thanks to these tiny organisms, it now stands at 21%, allowing us, and all land animals, to breathe. Every second breath you take? You can thank phytoplankton for that.
The Threats to Phytoplankton
Despite their importance, phytoplankton populations are declining. Here’s why:
– Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures disrupt the delicate balance that phytoplankton need to thrive. Warmer waters cause a decrease in nutrient availability, slowing their growth and reducing oxygen production.
– Plastic Pollution: Microplastics are being consumed by marine life, including phytoplankton. This contamination affects the entire food chain and disrupts the ocean’s delicate ecosystem.
– Chemical Runoff: Fertilisers and pollutants from agriculture wash into rivers and oceans, leading to harmful algal blooms. These blooms consume too much oxygen and create ‘dead zones’ where marine life cannot survive.
– Overfishing and Habitat Destruction: The destruction of marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and coastal areas, directly impacts phytoplankton populations by removing essential nutrients from the water.
Why Protecting Phytoplankton Protects Us
The health of phytoplankton directly impacts the health of our planet. Without them:
– The oxygen supply on Earth would diminish, making it harder for all living creatures to survive.
– The marine food web would collapse, impacting fish populations and the 1 in 6 people worldwide who rely on seafood as their primary protein source.
– The carbon cycle would be disrupted, worsening climate change. Phytoplankton absorb huge amounts of CO2, acting as a natural climate regulator.
How You Can Help
Although phytoplankton seem far removed from our daily lives, the truth is that small changes in our habits can help protect them:
– Reduce Plastic Use: Say no to single-use plastics. Support beach clean-ups and proper recycling to prevent plastic from entering the ocean.
– Support Sustainable Fishing: Overfishing disrupts ocean ecosystems, which impacts phytoplankton. Choose seafood from sustainable sources.
– Lower Your Carbon Footprint: Reduce energy use, opt for eco-friendly transportation, and support policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
– Be Mindful of Chemical Use: Avoid using harmful fertilisers and pesticides that can wash into waterways and harm marine life.
The Bigger Picture
To save our planet, we need to protect our oceans. And to protect our oceans, we must protect phytoplankton. While they may be invisible to the naked eye, their impact is undeniable. By making conscious choices to reduce pollution, curb climate change, and support ocean-friendly practices, we ensure that these microscopic marvels continue to sustain life on Earth.
So, next time you take a deep breath, remember – the ocean, and its tiny phytoplankton, played a part in that moment. Let’s do our part to protect them.
