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While advances in certain technologies and agriculture have done wonders for some economies, there are many side effects and harmful byproducts, which are taking a huge toll on species and our planet in general. Consumption has grown exponentially to accommodate the needs of a growing world population and the desires of those who can afford it. This means that wild species have smaller and increasingly degraded spaces to call home.

Some organizations are making great strides in protecting and or monitoring certain species. While this is incredibly important, to focus solely on the protection of desirable species, often leaves the habitats these species depend on relatively ignored. A delicate balance exists between species and natural systems. A change to one can have unintended impacts which can traverse vast expanses of land and sea and in turn affect multiple ecosystems. Lasting solutions for species protection can never be realized without the inclusion of habitat protection strategies.

Progressive Environmental Solutions seeks to maintain a certain level of flexibility with regard to the projects it undertakes. This means that we aim to focus on the most pressing issues that face a threatened area. This can vary greatly in each situation. In some instances governmental control is lacking; an area is already polluted; an area is already facing depleted levels of desirable species; populations are using resources at a level which is unsustainable; human impact is damaging the system; development is encroaching on the system or there is a simple lack of understanding or qualified management. Progressive Environmental Solutions seeks to be a unifying presence that can bring all of the necessary elements together for true sustainability and the long-term viability of any given area rather than focusing on only one aspect of a given problem. Only through a multifaceted approach can we hope to bring about true sustainability.

Habitat destruction is a huge problem in the marine environment. Habitats are destroyed by:

• Destructive fishing activity: bottom trawling and dynamite fishing kill coral reefs and destroy entire ecosystems.
• Coastal development: habitats are destroyed when whole areas are cleared for real estate development. Soil runoff and erosion from developed areas can result in excess nutrients from fertilizers and domestic sewage. This can lead to harmful algal blooms that block sunlight and inhibit coral growth. It also causes silt to build-up on coral reefs, which smothers coral.
• Pollution: development near coastal waters contaminates the ocean with toxic substances, such as industrial chemicals, pesticides, and (motor) oil.
• Dredging ship channels: Removes accumulated sediment and pollutants re-suspending them into the water. Dredging can also destroy sea grass beds, mangroves and other habitats that provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds. The dredged material must be disposed of, and is often dumped into salt marshes damaging a very productive marine habitat.

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): marine sites such as sanctuaries, fisheries management areas, state conservation areas, and wildlife refuges established to protect habitats, endangered species, and to restore the health of marine ecosystems in areas jeopardized by habitat and species loss.
• Marine Reserves : marine sites that provide a higher degree of ecosystem protection by prohibiting fishing, mineral extraction, and other habitat-altering activities. Marine Reserves are far more effective than MPAs, but unfortunately they are not as common.
• Land use and development regulation: An integrated approach to land use and management based on scientific knowledge is needed to protect coastal areas. Policy makers need to be informed on the impact coastal development is having on marine habitats through accessible and evidence-based information.
• Monitoring and reporting: Ongoing monitoring of key areas and habitats allow for early detection of environmental degradation. Ensuring water quality in coastal communities through sampling and testing, photographing fouled areas, and providing information to local policy makers for action is integral for long-term management strategies.
• Zoning: related to integrated land use and development management, zoning coastal areas into MPAs, Marine Reserves, approved fishing areas, with varying levels of use has the potential to slow some of the habitat degradation caused by development. Through cooperation among local, state, and national governments, this approach may provide a viable solution to all stakeholders from tourists, to the fishing industry, to conservation efforts etc.

Our health and the health of our planet depends in no small part on the condition of our oceans and seas.

Photo credits
Photographs for this website were provided by O. Bartels, F. Bierings and C. Langmuur
Additional photographic material was provided by C. Kalke and P.K. Kats
Technical credits
Technical design and support is provided by Metal7Run