Page 154 - Economia Azul - versão: inglês

2. Blue economy as a transformation axis active principles are discovered every year valuing socio-biodiversity and, in this way,
and new products with the potential to guaranteeing a sustainable future and prom-
The economy is a central dimension of decision-making for their sustainable use. revolutionize the market are developed. ising business. In this discussion, if sustain-
contemporany society, in which the use of It is of paramount importance to preserve For example, several entrepreneurial initia- able development demands efficient and in-
resources and the production chain sup- and increase the natural capital accumulat- tives have already demonstrated the feasi- novative decision-making and the business
port the economic axis of countries. In the ed in the seas and ocean through sustain- bility of using seaweed to produce pack- sector is focused on this discussion, there is
context of the growing impacts of climate able exploitation practices that allow the aging for biodegradable products (OOHO still the challenge of expanding the “blue”
change, anthropogenic impacts and social regeneration of resources in the long term, WATER, 2019; DEZEEN, 2016; LOLIWARE, discussion to the circular economy and, in
inequality that demand changes in behav- since the economy associated with marine n.d.), clothing and accessories (AN OCEAN turn, favoring the blue economy.
ior to reverse these impacts, discussions on resources sustains a large part of coastal FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES, n.d.), footwear The circular economy involves a change
sustainable economics have grown over populations. and represent a significant (VIVOBAREFOOT, 2018) and various types in production processes and in the mentality,
the last few decades. percentage of the world’s GDP, contribut- of artifacts, using 3-D printing technolo- values, and business culture, which also in-
As seen in chapter 1, the concept of the ing between US$ 3 and US$ 6 trillion per gy (DEZEEN, 2017). Other materials, such volve a change in the relationship with cus-
blue economy began to strengthen from year, a value that continues to gradually as exoskeletons or animal parts that are tomers and public policies. While for compa-
the preparatory process of the Rio+20 expand (CLAUDET et al., 2020). waste from the food industry (MARINA- nies in the marine sector, the circular econ-
event in 2012, as an additional concept to Led by an initiative of the European TEX, n.d.; THE SHELL WORKS, n.d.), sand omy can be associated with the processes
the Green Economy. That became essential Commission in 2012, a Blue Growth Strate- (TINKAH, 2015) and salt (SALTYGLOO, of origin of fish, considering sustainable
to coastal countries, suggesting the devel- gy was developed in the last decade to sup- 2013), also constitute the raw material for aquaculture, animal welfare and small-scale
opment of an economic approach more as- port the sustainable growth of the marine innovative eco-design products recently fishing, all companies can act to reduce
sociated with the ocean, as their economies sector in European countries (EUROPEAN launched on the market. These products pollution and urban waste and plastics in
are strongly correlated with marine resourc- COMMISSION, 2017). Currently, the term constitute a potential alternative for the water bodies, a classic example of the rela-
es (UNEP, 2014). The blue economy is pre- blue economy is internationally accepted replacement of raw material derived from tionship between the circular economy and
mised on the sustainable use of marine re- and referenced, and its objectives and cri- petrochemical compounds, which are the ocean. Actions can range from chang-
sources, aiming at economic growth associ- teria are adopted by countries interested in currently present in almost all the prod- es through recycling to the development of
ated with better employment and livelihood developing a blue economy based on the ucts we consume. Such compounds end ecological raw materials and replacement of
conditions, as well as the health of marine principles of sustainability (BLUE GROWTH, up leaving a great environmental liability, components with co-processed waste.
ecosystems (WORLD BANK GROUP, 2017). 2021). According to the World Bank Group in addition to harmful effects on human However, developing the blue circu-
Marine resources support an emerg- (2017), more than 80% of internationally health, still little known in the short, medi- lar economy goes beyond pollution issues
ing industry economy in several sectors: traded goods are transported through the um, and long term. and represents a visionary and ambitious
food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, sports, sea, and it is estimated that the volume of Understanding the blue economy goes opportunity in business decision-making.
nautical, port, tourism, and renewable maritime trade will double by 2030 and beyond the valuation of marine ecosystem While the circular economy demands na-
energy. In this sense, the blue economy quadruple by 2040. They also point out resources and services and includes assess- ture-based solutions, the design necessary
goes beyond the value of the extracted that fishing activity contributes US$ 270 ing the social, cultural, biodiversity and for the circular economy demands invest-
marine resources, but includes the entire billion annually to the world GDP, and that supply chain aspects for sustainability. A ment in science, technology, and innova-
production chain, jobs and services associ- coastal and less developed island countries key process to promote the blue economy tion for the development of new systems
ated with the use of those resources. The receive around 41 million tourists a year, and sustainability is the circular economy. and materials. The ocean covers 70% of
ocean provides several ecosystem services contributing to the increase in jobs and the Currently, the circular economy is one of the planet’s surface and has a wide diver-
that are complex to value economically, local economy. the main priorities for the business sector: sity of renewable and non-renewable re-
and it is essential to expand knowledge With the advancement of technology to develop production processes that min- sources. Therefore, the ocean is a source
about these goods and services to support and research in the marine sector, new imize waste and restore natural systems, of untapped resources that can serve as

152 BLUE ECONOMY Ocean Literacy for the Blue Economy 153