How can you not love the ocean?
The heart of our planet which connects countries, continents, and people. The ocean covers over 70% of our precious planet and gives us so much, making it one of the most important resources on Earth. Below the surface is a breath-taking world that has a little something for everyone, including you.
There are a million reasons to LOVE the ocean, lets dive into a few why I do and why you should too!
JOBS
The ocean is the biggest trading route on the planet, contributing to the global economy. With a vast ecosystem, it provides an income for developing and developed countries. Globally, 1 in 6 jobs are marine-related and depend on the ocean including fishers, lifeguards, and water sports businesses. As we increase ocean-related jobs we also increase the human threats which could spoil the underwater environment and harm the organisms living there. We must respect the environment by reducing waste and pollutants, practice safe boating, fish responsibly and conserve water.
FOOD
We all love and need food. The ocean provides us with nutritional food that over 3.5 billion people depend on as their main source of protein. This means as a community we need to work together to keep our oceans healthy and manage fisheries so we can still consume this amazing resource.
CULTURES & COMMUNITIES
Humans and the ocean are linked and have shaped and developed cultures around the world. The ocean enables us to exchange goods, people, and religion. If the ocean becomes polluted, global traditions may be lost.
HOME TO COOL CREATURES
Below the surface an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem lives, providing habitats for an array of marine life. It is estimated around one million animals live in this blue paradise with an impressive 94% of the Earth’s species residing in the ocean. We need to protect these remarkable creatures so we can continue to enjoy them. Unfortunately, now only 7.5% of the ocean is protected.
A NATURAL RESOURCE
The ocean is our greatest life-support system that provides us with the air we breathe. The ocean absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere can and creates half the Earths oxygen. Therefore, protecting these magnificent plants to continue growing is vital for life above the surface. The ocean gives us a freshwater supply from rain which allows irrigation and the water we drink. One of the most important services the ocean gives us is regulating climates and reducing climate change impacts, so we must keep it healthy so it can perform its job for us. We create heat and carbon dioxide in our daily lives, the amazing ocean absorbs over 90% of heat and 30% of carbon dioxide emissions.
OUR ENJOYMENT
The ocean gives us a treasured supply of recreation. Whether it is sailing, fishing, surfing, scuba diving/snorkelling, or just relaxing, the ocean provides us with opportunities and connects us with nature. These activities affect our marine ecosystems due to overfishing, pollution, invasive species, and ocean acidification. Education and awareness of impacts help us understand these more, and how we can do something to protect our beloved ocean.
Written by Darby Bonner
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