Oceans are essential to human life — these are the reasons why and what we risk by not protecting our waters.
WORLD OCEAN DAY is around the corner. And in recognition of this important date, we are shedding light on the ways humans and oceans are inextricably intertwined — perhaps more than we know.
Over 2.4 billion people (one-third of humans) live within 100 km of oceanic coast, and 600 million are reliant on oceans for work. Our oceans supply global trade routes (90% of all goods are transported by oceans) and account for a large percentage of the world food supply, with over 3 billion people dependent on seafood as a food source. Additionally, our interest in the sea for recreation and leisure, accounts for a multi-billion dollar ocean tourism industry.
Thus, we are dependent on our oceans — not merely for pleasure and convention, but to be able to exist at all. Oceanic plants produce half of the world’s oxygen and oceans store 50% of the carbon dioxide released from fossil fuel burning. Marine animals, such as dolphins, whales, and seabirds, act as carbon regulators, influencing rainfall patterns, helping to supply the world with freshwater.
Unfortunately, human activity threatens our oceans. Today, there is an estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans and 8 million pieces of plastic are dumped every day. Over development, overfishing and invasive tourism has contributed to the decline coral reefs (50% in the past 30 years) and over one-third of marine life is now at risk of extinction.
This WORLD OCEAN DAY, protect our OCEANS as they protect us — donate now.
