Why is the ocean important?
Quick answer
The ocean is important because it produces a large share of the oxygen we breathe, absorbs heat and carbon dioxide that would otherwise warm the planet faster, drives weather and climate, feeds billions of people, and supports trade and jobs. It covers about 71% of Earth’s surface.
By the numbers
- ~71%
- Share of Earth’s surface covered by ocean
- ~50%
- Estimated share of Earth’s oxygen produced by ocean plankton and plants
- 90%+
- Share of the extra heat from global warming absorbed by the ocean
- ~25%
- Rough share of human CO₂ emissions absorbed by the ocean each year
Five reasons the ocean matters
1. Oxygen. Tiny drifting plants called phytoplankton photosynthesize like trees on land. Together with seaweed and other ocean plants, they produce roughly half of the oxygen on Earth.
2. Climate control. The ocean soaks up enormous amounts of heat and carbon dioxide, slowing climate change. Currents such as the Gulf Stream carry warm water toward Europe, keeping places like the UK milder than their latitude suggests.
3. Weather. Evaporation from the ocean creates clouds and rain. Ocean temperatures fuel hurricanes and shape patterns like El Niño. Even cold snaps can be linked to the atmosphere above the oceans and poles; see what the polar vortex is.
4. Food and jobs. Seafood is a key source of protein for billions of people, and fishing, shipping and tourism support millions of jobs. Most of the world’s goods travel by sea.
5. Life. The ocean is home to a huge share of Earth’s species, from bacteria to blue whales, the largest animals that have ever lived. Much of the deep sea is still unexplored. Read more on why biodiversity is important.
Threats to the ocean
- Warming and acidification, which damage coral reefs and shellfish
- Overfishing
- Plastic and chemical pollution
- Habitat damage to mangroves, seagrass and reefs
Why it matters to you
Even if you live far from the coast, the ocean affects the air you breathe, the rain that waters crops, and the price of goods in shops. Protecting it protects us.
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