The European Report on the Blue Economy EU 2020 recently published, in June, by the DGMARE, demonstrates figures in hand that Europe is a great maritime power. Didn't we notice? Maybe yes. Over the past few months, everyone has been somewhat taken by the desire to defend the history of European countries and above all to protect the old continent more from the evils of the earth and the atmosphere than from those of the sea.
Il Published report refers to 2018. It develops along an interdisciplinary, panoramic line of all the activities that take place at sea. From tourist, to mercantile, to fishing. Significant data for a roller coaster economy. Well in Europe 80% of foreign trade and 40% of domestic trade goes through navigation. Holding fleets and companies in hand are capable shipowners who control 40% of the world's tonnage of merchant shipping.
Like many others, shipowners also receive aid from the EU. The BlueInvest platform and the European Investment Fund have provided aid to the sector of €42 million in the last two years. In total, in 2018 the European Blue Economy had a turnover of 750 billion euros. High, encouraging values, evaluated as a trend of a sustainable economy.
The researchers have been good at putting together the environmental values of the seas that bathe the European countries. The clean dimension of the Blue Economy has a cognitive and didactic value. It is purified from the polluting and harmful factors of factories and waste. Who would dream of still building factories, steel mills, power plants along the beaches? In a few years, thanks to virtuous interventions and the commitment of many associations, CO2 emissions related to maritime traffic have dropped by 29%.
“The development of fisheries and aquaculture is now clearly detached from the growth of greenhouse gases” says the Report. In short words a process of eco-sustainability on which the European Union must refine dissemination and awareness tools. In fact, a point of interest that emerges from the Report is precisely the defense of a habitat - in the midst of climate change - not only through money, which is also needed. But through an awareness and responsibility for those who have the power to save the sea resource. Ultimately, the blue economy is what made DGMARE researchers say that old Europe is a maritime power.
