Ocean Accounts: Holding Ourselves Responsible for a Brighter Ocean Future

We are dependent on our oceans for food, transport, and fun, to name just a few things. However, misuse of the oceans is affecting many communities that depend on ocean resources for their livelihoods. Similar to the way we track students’ grades with report cards, we need to start keeping track of and scoring exactly how our oceans are doing. Ocean accounts are a way to measure the financial, environmental, and social dimensions of ocean wellbeing. Looking at these combined aspects can help us measure and monitor the state and overall functioning of Earth’s oceans. In this article, we look at what ocean accounts are and how they can aid ocean conservation and ocean health. Healthy oceans ultimately equal healthy and thriving humans!