Our actions on land have a direct impact on the life and health of the ocean, which is why the Blue Economy is one of the Climate Smart Institute’s core themes.
Our projects prioritize the use of technology and innovation and are focused on the systemic connections between land and sea. Since 2020, we have been a leader in the Blue Economy from both an entrepreneurial and conservation perspective.
The Ocean produces more than half of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat generated by human activities.
It is also the planet’s largest carbon sink, absorbing 23% of man-made carbon emissions. Coastal ecosystems sequester more carbon per unit area than forests.
In addition to coral reefs, mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass beds are essential for mitigating the effects of climate change and protecting coastal communities from storms and flooding.
Over the centuries, the ocean has been degraded by intense human exploitation, from burning fossil fuels to overfishing.
Oil spills cause major environmental disasters, and destructive industrial fishing methods such as trawling undermine the physical and biological integrity of the seabed.
The ocean is also threatened by pollution.
An estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste and 1.5 million tons of microplastics enter the ocean every year.
Rivers flow into the sea carrying agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, often creating “dead zones” that further threaten the fragile health of the ocean.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Blue Economy, defined as all economic sectors directly or indirectly linked to the ocean, is worth approximately $1.5 trillion per year and could reach $3 trillion by 2030.
In Brazil, it is estimated that 19% of national GDP comes from activities directly or indirectly related to the ocean. This calculation includes activities such as oil and gas exploration, maritime transport, shipbuilding, fishing and aquaculture, as well as tourism and nautical sports. New activities are emerging, such as offshore wind power, mineral extraction and aquaculture. While these new uses of the ocean benefit the country’s economic development, they also raise growing concerns about the environmental and ecological sustainability of maritime spaces.
Brazil’s seas produce
-
45%
of fish
-
95%
of oil
-
80%
of natural gas
In addition to carrying 95% of our foreign trade.