Nearly 200 nations pledged in 2022 to protect 30% of Earth by 2030. By 2025, 9.6% of the ocean is covered by marine protected areas, up from 8.4% in 2024.

But only 3.2% are highly or fully protected—raising concerns about “paper parks” that still allow destructive activities.

Mongabay chronicled some of the progress made toward protecting the oceans in 2025 in this list compiled by Shanna Hanbury.

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/01/marine-protected-areas-expanded-in-2025-but-still-far-from-30-goal/

#news #oceans #marinelife #marineprotectedareas #conservation

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, with a warming impact far greater than CO₂.

Scientists are now finding methane seeps not only in the Arctic, but also in shallow waters off Antarctica.

Tracking these bubbles helps assess climate risks—and reveals unique deep-sea ecosystems that may offer clues to life’s origins.

by Elizabeth Devitt
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/01/methane-chasers-hunting-a-climate-changing-gas-seeping-from-earths-seafloor/

#news #oceans #marinelife #greenhousegas #climate #energy

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, with a warming impact far greater than CO₂.

Scientists are now finding methane seeps not only in the Arctic, but also in shallow waters off Antarctica.

Tracking these bubbles helps assess climate risks—and reveals unique deep-sea ecosystems that may offer clues to life’s origins.

by Elizabeth Devitt
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/01/methane-chasers-hunting-a-climate-changing-gas-seeping-from-earths-seafloor/

#news #oceans #marinelife #greenhousegas #climate #energy

Nearly 200 nations pledged in 2022 to protect 30% of Earth by 2030. By 2025, 9.6% of the ocean is covered by marine protected areas, up from 8.4% in 2024.

But only 3.2% are highly or fully protected—raising concerns about “paper parks” that still allow destructive activities.

Mongabay chronicled some of the progress made toward protecting the oceans in 2025 in this list compiled by Shanna Hanbury.

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/01/marine-protected-areas-expanded-in-2025-but-still-far-from-30-goal/

#news #oceans #marinelife #marineprotectedareas #conservation

Polar bears in the warming Arctic https://www.wamc.org/show/earth-wise/2026-01-07/polar-bears-in-the-warming-arctic 🐻‍❄️ #PolarBear #MarineMammals #MarineLife #MarineBiology #Science #ClimateChange

Polar bears in the warming Arctic https://www.wamc.org/show/earth-wise/2026-01-07/polar-bears-in-the-warming-arctic 🐻‍❄️ #PolarBear #MarineMammals #MarineLife #MarineBiology #Science #ClimateChange

Green Sea Turtle, aka Honu, silhouetted over an #Oahu #Hawaii #reef . Your #sealife #photooftheday

Prints available - DM me. #green #turtle #tuesday #creature #ocean #pacificocean #marinelife #animals #nature #wildlife #outdoors #explore #environment #earth #photo #photography #scuba #discover #underwater #art #critter #KeepItReal

Green Sea Turtle, aka Honu, silhouetted over an #Oahu #Hawaii #reef . Your #sealife #photooftheday

Prints available - DM me. #green #turtle #tuesday #creature #ocean #pacificocean #marinelife #animals #nature #wildlife #outdoors #explore #environment #earth #photo #photography #scuba #discover #underwater #art #critter #KeepItReal

Mantis Shrimp at an #Oahu #Hawaii #reef . Your #sealife #photooftheday

Prints available - DM me. #shrimp #multicolor #Sunday #creature #ocean #pacificocean #marinelife #animals #nature #wildlife #outdoors #explore #environment #earth #photo #photography #scuba #discover #underwater #art #critter #KeepItReal