- Discover resources to help you explore SDG issues
- Figure out which ocean issue to solve for your community
WHAT IS SDG 14 ALL ABOUT?
Even if you don’t live near the ocean, your community is impacted by SDG 14 (Life Below Water) issues. Here are some big problems you can relate to.
START: UN SDG TARGETS
Click on each tab on the left to read each target. For each target consider (a) what is the issue around this target and (b) is this something we can tackle?
14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
Can we address it? (click here)
This target is difficult to address globally, but might is possible to address on a local scale
14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
Can we address it? (click here)
This is a global issue that may be difficult to address, but working on local ecosystems is possible
14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.
Can we address it? (click here)
This is a global issue that requires government intervention. Awareness might be a possible goal.
14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics.
Can we address it? (click here)
This will be difficult to address, because it requires government intervention.
14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Can we address it? (click here)
This target requires governments to act, so it will be a difficult one to address.
14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation.
Can we address it? (click here)
This target might be hard to address because it is based on international agreements.
14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.
Can we address it? (click here)
This target might be worth addressing if you are part of a Small Island developing state.
14.A Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries.
Can we address it? (click here)
It would be hard to address this target.
14.B Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.
Can we address it? (click here)
This target could be a good target if your community has small-scale fishers.
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want”
Can we address it? (click here)
This target requires implementation of international laws, so it is a difficult target to address.
As a summary, these targets could be good ones to start brainstorming for project ideas. Click on the arrows to view each target.
NEXT STEPS
- Look at the SDG 14 targets.
- Choose some of interest.
- Start generating thoughts and ideas around each topic.
- Relate to issues in your own community.
- Connect ideas that relate.
Here is a brainstorming example.
Then
- From your map, select one or two particular areas to focus on.
- Dig deeper with some research into those particular ideas and topics.
For example, you might choose Water Pollution and Ocean Acidification to focus on.
ACTIVITY: BRAINSTORMING
Make a mind map to generate ideas around the SDG 6 targets
- Write down issues, ideas, organizations, people in boxes or bubbles
- Connect related boxes
- Review the ideas and themes.
- Select one or two main themes/issues that interest you and that you have seen in your community.
- Research those topics further and start to brainstorm solutions.
NEXT STEPS
Research
Start with the UN SDG 14 website to learn about the targets and follow links
Community
Connect issues you’ve discovered here to issues you know about in your community
People
Follow people who are working in this space on social media to learn more and even contact them
Document
Keep your links and notes organized using bookmarks and Google docs or folder
