Can Sri Lanka Truly Sustain What Sustains Us?
Mankeni, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka Aruna Sampath The ocean, which makes up more than 70% of the planet's surface, is the source of life on Earth. It provides more than 50% of the oxygen on Earth, sustains a vast amount of biodiversity, feeds billions of people, and controls the climate. It serves as a vital basis for human survival, livelihoods, and food security. However, a number of human caused factors, such as overfishing, which has reduced 90% of large fish populations, widespread pollution from chemicals, plastics, and industrial waste, as well as the serious consequences of climate change, such as coral bleaching and rising sea levels, pose a serious threat to this vital resource. (United Nations 2025) Furthermore, about half of coral reef ecosystems have already been destroyed, endangering marine biodiversity. In light of this, the theme for 2025 World Oceans Day, "Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us," calls on everyone to rediscover the o...