Blue Economy and Poverty Alleviation: A Photo Story
Our monthly photo series highlights the beauty and emotion in the lives of our clients around the world. This month’s photos illustrate the important role that the blue economy plays in lifting people out of poverty.
Vote for June’s Photo of the Month
As we celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8, learn how the blue economy is lifting people out of poverty.
TechnoServe supports blue economy initiatives in Africa, Latin America, and India by helping our clients identify and adopt sustainable business solutions that enable them to prosper while building their climate resilience and protecting nature.
The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth, provides roughly half of the oxygen we breathe, and provides food to more than 3.5 billion people. The ocean is also a significant driver of the global economy. It accounts for approximately 5% or $3 trillion of global gross domestic product, based on the monetary value of marine and coastal resources and industries.
Despite its vast size and unexplored depths, the ocean is an incredibly vulnerable ecosystem. Climate change, plastic pollution, and unregulated and illegal fishing are just a few global challenges facing the health of our oceans.
As you enjoy this selection of images, let’s remember how all life on this planet is inextricably linked to the most abundant and defining feature of our blue planet—the ocean. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite!
The ocean as an anchoring for ecotourism
“The ocean is where I go for rejuvenation, revelation, and solace.” – Susan Rockefeller
Our love for spending time by the ocean brings tremendous economic value to coastal communities. The size of the beach tourism market is expected to be worth $256.85 billion this year alone, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7%. Ocean-focused ecotourism is a growing part of the blue economy. Today, more people seek travel experiences with a lower carbon footprint that bring them closer to nature. TechnoServe worked with local tourism entrepreneurs on business skills to make a success of enterprises like this eco-lodge in Nacala, Mozambique. TechnoServe has worked in the southern African nation for over 25 years, creating business solutions to poverty through agriculture and entrepreneurship. Read more
The ocean as a source of food security
Did you know that more than 3 billion people in the world rely on wild-caught and farmed seafood as a significant source of animal protein? This photo shows a rich catch of Peruvian scallops, harvested from the Pacific Ocean near the village of Huarmey. TechnoServe worked closely with the local fishermen’s association to increase profitable aquaculture enterprises like this a aquaculture farm. Sustainable aquaculture that prioritizes food security, ocean health and community well-being also helps to protect wild fish stocks from over-fishing. Since 1982, TechnoServe has worked in Peru to foster close relationships between the private sector, the government, local organizations, and the greater community. Read more
Protecting our ocean from the land
A pile of plastic bottles has a lot to do with the health of our ocean when you consider a whopping 19-23 million tons of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas every year. Recycling plastic is part of both blue and circular economy solutions. It creates income for local communities and prevents pollution. In this picture, scrap trader Dorjee Palden and his wife and Tsewang Sangmo sort plastic bottles for recycling in the village of Mungod in the Indian state of Karnataka. TechnoServe helps entrepreneurs establish waste recovery and recycling businesses that serve their communities and protect the environment. Meet other eco-entrepreneurs in India.
Vote for Your Favorite Photo
Through their work in the blue economy, TechnoServe’s clients across Africa, Latin America, and India are transforming their livelihoods while safeguarding one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. These photographs capture the impact of their efforts and their connection to the ocean that sustains us all. Vote for your favorite photo to celebrate their journey and the difference they’re making for their communities and our shared blue planet.
Photo of the Month
