Why Whales and Dolphins
Biodiversity and Extinction
Life on Earth first began in the ocean; the marine biodiversity that we marvel at today exists due to billions of years of evolution and chance. In fact, new species are still being discovered, and 80% of the world’s oceans have never been explored. But despite the abundance of life on our planet, we are currently witnessing a mass extinction event caused by human activity. This epoch is referred to by scientists as the Anthropocene. Barring a major geological catastrophe, extinction should be rare, but over 30% of marine mammals are now currently listed as endangered.
Why Whales and Dolphins?
Did you know that whales can help restore damaged habitats, and even absorb more carbon than trees? Whales and dolphins are among some of the most iconic species in the deep blue sea. But aside from their intelligence, size, and beauty, they also play an essential role in preserving healthy marine ecosystems.
Many whales migrate, redistributing nutrients like iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus, throughout the ocean. These building blocks are essential for microscopic plants called phytoplankton because they don’t have roots, stems, or even leaves. Many marine animals feed on phytoplankton and wouldn’t survive without it. Another important thing to know is that these tiny plants provide half of the Earth’s oxygen through photosynthesis, converting billions of metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Carbon Sequestration
Whales help protect all life on Earth. In part, this is because whale species remove thousands of tons of carbon from circulation by feeding on phytoplankton. To simplify the process, whales capture carbon emissions in their massive bodies, and this “blue carbon” is later transferred to the bottom of the sea at the end of their life cycles. What this ultimately means is that thriving oceans are an essential buffer against extreme climate change.
Take Action
It’s easy to imagine our oceans are endless, or that the environmental crisis we face can wait for future generations to act. But the simple truth is if we hope to preserve a planet rich in biodiversity, the time for action is not in some vague future, but now. Learn more about how you can help protect our oceans today.
