It is impossible not to love the beauty and grace of whales. Scientists have tirelessly tried to decode their songs and sounds, while divers are amazed by their grace. Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional photographer, everyone gets equally excited when whales jump high above the water—for the sake of playing. These majestic beings of the deep oceans play a crucial role in informing scientists and nature enthusiasts about the health of our planet. Whales act as mirrors, reflecting the conditions of the vast ecosystems they inhabit.
We know so much about whales, yet so little. In this story, we explore how we can save Mother Earth simply by saving the whales
Whales lead remarkable lives, exploring the deepest oceans, stillest waters, and the most brutal storms as they travel across the world's one ocean. With their explorative travels and often being on top of the food chain, they leave a lasting impact on their surroundings. However, the enchanting and traveling existence of whales faces external threats, not only from whaling but also from the brutal impacts of human activities.
The body of a whale works in a slightly magical way, functioning as a magnifying glass of sorts, narrating the impactful and complex tales it has collected in its body through its journeys across the seas. Scientists have now found that the bodies of some whales are more polluted than their environments, and it's not by small margins. Tragically, the contamination in the bodies of some beluga whales has reached levels deeming them as "toxic waste."
Despite the challenges the whales face due to brutal human activities, which could be avoided by implementing animal protection frameworks and methodologies, the generous whales continue to contribute to the natural world. Throughout their long lives, whales accumulate carbon from the atmosphere in their bodies. Given that some species of whales can live well over 100 years, they have the potential to capture a significant amount of carbon. The longevity of their lives, coupled with their massive size, makes whales invaluable carbon sinks.
Even beyond their life, during and post the whale fall (the death of a whale as it falls into the deep ocean), their bodies nurture hundreds of different deep-sea species and continue to absorb carbon at a remarkable rate. The carbon within their cells becomes a crucial part of the deep-sea ecosystem, locked away for millennia. This means that whales, in their afterlife, become unsung heroes, sequestering carbon at a remarkable rate—locking away more carbon every year than half a million trees
Preserving whale populations requires protecting the intricate ecosystems they call home and putting an end to whaling. It's a holistic effort—saving whales involves safeguarding the delicate balance of their entire environment, from the krill they eat to the air they breathe.
In this interconnected web of life, the preservation of whales becomes synonymous with the preservation of ourselves and our precious shared home planet, Mother Earth.
If you're interested in taking action, we recommend one (or all) of the following ways:
Share this article with your family, co-workers, and friends. By spreading awareness, you help educate others about the importance of whales.
Avoid visiting aquariums that keep whales and dolphins solely for entertainment. Instead, consider donating to the Whale Sanctuary Project organization: Whale Sanctuary Project
Sign petitions to end whaling, which you can find in our 'Take Action' section.