Marine Pollution: A Relative Analysis of the Efficacy of the Persisting Laws in Attaining Sustainable Environment

Abstract

Oceans are one of the most treasured resources of the Planet. Almost 70% of the earth’s surface comprises of the oceans. It not only shelters the aquatic beings but also serves multiple purposes ranging from food, medicine, transportation, recreation and the like. The ocean act as one of the chief regulators of the climate by transporting the heat waves from the equator to the poles and thus moderating the climate and the weather patterns. It is responsible for producing about 50% of the oxygen and is equipped to stock 50 times more carbon dioxide than the atmosphere. The ocean in the present day can be regarded as the common dumping place. Ocean was a place which was rich with diverse aquatic species and now all that can be found there is plastic bags, water bottles, hazardous chemicals, oil from boats and ships, sewage substances rendering the ocean population to extinction. Marine pollution is one of the burning issues which needs serious attention and immediate action must be taken in this regard to withhold any further corruption of the aquatic life. There is a mandate on the States to control the aquatic pollution and protect the coastal-environments. In the contemporary world where the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment has been recognized in over 155 countries, the protection and prevention of marine litter and plastic pollution has become the national agenda for majority of the countries. Despite the persisting laws at place, it can be observed that the marine pollution is on the rise. About 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year which is presumed to triplicate by 2040. The issue at hand is a very grave and has caused and in future is capable of causing irretrievable damage to the economies. Through this paper the authors intend to analyze the laws and the Government actions in preventing aquatic pollution.