As an ocean health and human health research for the past 20 years I am very aware of the anthropogenic changes to our ocean environments and the resulting negative impacts on human health. As dire as they are, I remain hopeful that 2025 will be a great year to improve the health of our global Ocean which sustains us all.
Two things give me hope. The small actions of billions of people and technology.
The small daily actions of people choosing to reduce, reuse, and recycle cumulatively makes a huge difference – especially in countries like the United States (look at the Tiny Habits blog). Technological advances specifically in recycling plastics are very hopeful. As I remain optimistic, I am reminded of Einstein’s famous quote “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research”. (Einstein, 1931 Cosmic Religion and Other Opinions and Aphorisms)
As Einstein says once you have strong scientific knowledge imaging solutions to problems can lead the way.
Wishing you a healthy and joyful 2025.