Why We Need the Ocean
I know what I am about to talk about may seem a little redundant at this point but I think it is a good reminder. We need our oceans. We need them to be clean. We need them to be healthy. They play such a vital role in our world and I feel like many people do not fully realize that.
Oceans are the lifeblood of planet Earth and humankind. They flow over nearly three-quarters of our planet, and hold 97% of the planet's water. They produce more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, and absorb the most carbon from it. No matter how far from the shore that you live, oceans still affect your life and the lives of your families and friends, classmates and colleagues. The air that you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the products that keep you warm, safe, informed, and entertained — all can come from or be transported by the ocean. About half of the world’s population lives within the coastal zone, and ocean-based businesses contribute more than $500 billion to the world’s economy. Historically, we thought that we could never take too much out of, or put too much waste into, the oceans. The sheer number of people who use and depend on the ocean, and the sometimes unwise practices we adopt, have created problems such as overharvest of resources, reduction in biodiversity, and degradation of marine habitats and species, among others. We risk the very ecosystems on which our survival depends. We must become better stewards of our oceans
With that being said, here are a few of the many reasons why we need our oceans.
Take a deep breath. Feels good doesn't it? Air is essential for us to live. It is a good thing that the oceans help create the air we breathe. Oceans are a critical player in the basic elements we need to survive. Ocean plants produce half of the world’s oxygen, then these amazing waters absorb nearly one-third of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions. Oceans also regulate our weather and form the clouds that bring us fresh water.
The food on your plate. Entire island and coastal communities rely on seafood as the main staple to their nutritional and dietary needs. If key species start dying off due to ocean acidification and polution, their food source could drop drastically. Besides seafood, oceans are connected to what you eat in many more ways. Ocean ingredients, like algae and kelp, are used in making peanut butter (one of my favorite foods), beer, soymilk and frozen foods. Plus, 36 percent of the world’s total fisheries catch each year is ground up into fishmeal and oil to feed farmed fish, chickens and pigs.
The items in your medicine cabinet. Times have changed, but more than half of the world's population still relies entirely on plants for medicines, and plants supply the active ingredients of most traditional medical products. Plants have also served as the starting point for countless drugs on the market today. You’ll find ocean ingredients flowing out of your medicine cabinet in everything from shampoos and cosmetics to medicines that help fight cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, viruses and other diseases. We need to keep our oceans clean and healthy so that they can keep us clean and healthy.
The oceans provide jobs and the stimulate the economy. Think about how many jobs there are in the United States. Now think about how one in six jobs in the United States is marine-related and more than $128 billion in GDP annually results from ocean tourism, recreation and living resources. Many of these jobs relate to keeping our oceans and coastal areas healthy and safe because healthy marine habitats like reefs, barrier islands, mangroves and wetlands help protect coastal communities from the results of hurricanes and storm surges.
The ocean is a shared resource. We all use the oceans for many different reasons. While many of us enjoy the spectacular recreational activities that oceans offer, for some people oceans are a lifeline for survival. Consider that for a moment. Think about if someone dirtied your food source and home. How would you feel? Keeping oceans healthy keeps people healthy, and we each have a personal responsibility to protect our oceans.