increasing the number of ocean areas protected against pollution , mining and tourism can help combat climate change , according to a report released on Monday to coincide with the united Nations ’ first global conference on ocean protection . Such areas can help secure coastlines vulnerable to storms and sea level rises , whilst also conserving marine species threatened by pollution and increasing sea temperatures . Marine reserves can also decrease the effects of ocean acidification , which destroys coral reefs , whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions . At present , just 3.5 % of the world ’s oceans are protected . Campaigners hope to increase this to 10 % by 2020 .
Increasing the number of ocean areas protected against fishing, mining and tourism could help combat climate change, according to a report released on Monday to coincide with the United Nations’ first global conference on ocean protection. Such areas can help secure coastlines vulnerable to storms and sea level rises, whilst also conserving marine species threatened by pollution and increasing sea temperatures. Marine reserves can also decrease the effects of ocean acidification, which destroys coral reefs, whilst also absorbing greenhouse gas emissions. At present, just 3.5% of the world’s oceans are protected. Campaigners hope to increase this to 10% by 2020.