Human pressure on the world's ocean accelerated sharply at the start of the 21st century and shows no sign of slowing, according to a comprehensive new analysis on the state of the ocean by the Stockholm Resilience Centre.
The researchers from the Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, have analysed 50-years of data from a number of sources, including shipping, drilling, deep-sea mining, aquaculture, and bioprospecting. The results were published in the journal One Earth on 24 January. The scientists have named the dramatic rise the "Blue Acceleration".
The scientists say the largest ocean industry is the oil and gas sector, responsible for about one third of the value of the ocean economy. Sand and gravel are the ocean's most mined minerals to meet demand from the construction industry.
In addition, as freshwater become an increasingly scarce commodity, around 16,000 desalination plants have sprung up around the world in the last 50 years with a steep rise since 2000, according to the analysis.
Lead author Jean-Baptiste Jouffray from the Stockholm Resilience Centre said:
"Claiming ocean resources and space is not new to humanity, but the extent, intensity, and diversity of today's aspirations are unprecedented"
"This Blue Acceleration is really a race for ocean resources and space, posing risks and opportunities for global sustainability"
The study highlights some positive human impacts - for example, the area protected from some exploitation has increased exponentially with a surge since 2000 that shows no signs of slowing. Offshore wind farm technology has also reached commercial viability in this period allowing the world to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The authors conclude by calling for increased attention to who is driving the Blue Acceleration, what is financing it and who is benefiting from it?. The scientists are flagging up the start of the United Nations’ "decade of the ocean" in 2021 as an opportunity to assess the social-ecological impacts and manage ocean resources for long-term sustainability.
The team suggests that banks and other investors could adopt more stringent sustainability criteria for ocean investments.
Click here to read the analysis paper in full
Sulzer has launched a new global Center of Excellence (CoE) for Water Treatment Solutions - the CoE consolidates Sulzer’s wastewater treatment expertise in a unified and global manner.
“SAS (Surplus Activated Sludge) is a bit weird and 
Owen Mace has taken over as Director of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Plastic Pipes Group on the retirement of Caroline Ayres. He was previously Standards and Technical Manager for the group.
PureTec Separations, the Ledbury-based water treatment engineering firm, has appointed Dan Norman as its new Sales Manager – Water Process Systems, supporting the company’s continued growth in the UK and international markets.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.