The State of our Blue Planet

Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International, writes: "Our ocean – that seemingly infinitely bountiful, ever awe-inspiring blue that defines our planet from space – is in crisis." The 2015 Blue Planet Report states:

Nearly 3 billion people rely on fish as a major source of protein. Overall fisheries and aquaculture assure the livelihoods of 10-12 percent of the world's population. 60% of the world's population lives within 100 km of the coast.

Marine vertebrate populations declined 49% between 1970 and 2012. Populations of fish species utilized by humans have fallen by half, with some of the most important species experiencing even greater declines. Around one in four species of sharks, rays and skates is now threatened with extinction, due primarily to overfishing.

Tropical reefs have lost more than half of their reef-building corals over the last 30 years. Worldwide, nearly 20% of mangrove cover was lost between 1980 and 2005. 29% of marine fisheries are overfished. If current rates of temperature rise continue, the ocean will become too warm for coral reefs by 2050.

Seabed mining licences cover 1.2 million square kilometers of ocean floor. More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tonnes are in the sea. oxygen-depleted dead zones are growing as a result of nutrient run-off.

The ocean generates economic benefits worth at least US $2.5 trillion per year. Just 3.4% of the ocean is protected, and only part of this is effectively managed. Increasing marine protected area coverage to 30% could generate up to US $920 billion between 2015 and 2050.

I put the "climate change" tag on this one because I don't have a "stupid humans" tag. The study notes: "While human exploitation is identified as the major cause of the declines in marine species, habitat loss and degradation are also major threats."

Forward!

I have a Physical Assessment exam tomorrow at 10am, and if I don't get over 80%, I'll be on probation but have another chance at taking it. I have my fourth med term exam on Friday, and if I don't get at least an 80%, I think I get kicked out (I've always done very well on the med term, so I just haven't been bothered by the "or else",) I have a skills lab on Tuesday that is pass/fail and if I fail, I go on probation.... every week, every damn week is like this.

I've been working too much, which is adding to my stress. It's just, hrm, I'm very clever and I've always relied on being very clever but now I'm *old* and my brain is slower than it was. Bleh. Right now it is after 7pm my time, and my brain is officially off for the day. That's it, no more brains left. Tomorrow morning I will have great brains, so I will study then and I'm sure, well, fairly sure, that I will do well. I know the stuff, if I can just remember the pulse, respiration and temperature numbers.

This coming Friday, we start our four weeks of clinicals at the nursing home, and then there's 6 weeks at the hospital and BOOM, semester is done and Merry Christmas.

I'm off to walk the dog and then I'll play solitaire for half an hour and then put the kids to bed.

Edit: Got an 86%. Next up is tomorrow's skill evaluation (positioning and passing meds,) a training at the hospital on Wed and nursing home clinicals on Thursday and Friday. Wee!