Covering more than 70% of our planet’s surface, the ocean is a vast and mysterious region that plays a vital role in shaping our world and sustaining life as we know it. Its importance to our lives cannot be overstated, as it serves as a source of sustenance, a driver of climate regulation, a hub of biodiversity and a source of inspiration.
In this exploration, we’ll uncover the myriad reasons why the ocean is so important to our lives , the interconnectedness of all life on Earth, and the profound impact this magnificent body of water has on us personally and globally. Society. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, from the weather patterns that control our climate to the awe-inspiring wonders that capture our imaginations, the importance of the ocean resonates in every aspect of our lives , which binds us in a delicate and complex web. Existence that demands our attention and leadership.
you must know that the ocean is vital to life on Earth. But what is the reason?
Here are five reasons why we need to protect the future of our oceans.
1. The ocean helps us breathe
Phytoplankton are tiny organisms that live in the ocean and, like plants, produce at least 50% of the oxygen on Earth.
Like land plants, they contain chlorophyll to capture sunlight and use photosynthesis to convert it into energy, producing oxygen and consuming carbon dioxide. Phytoplankton transfer approximately 1 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere into the ocean every year.
2. Oceans help climate regulation
The ocean absorbs a lot of heat from the sun. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “more than 90 percent of the planet’s warming over the past 50 years has occurred in the oceans”.
This solar heat tends to be most intense near the equator, where the water closest to the surface warms the most. Ocean currents then carry the heat around the world, reaching both the north and south poles. As surface water heats up and evaporates, the salt content of the seawater increases, making it denser and causing the seawater to sink, allowing some of the warmer water to reach deeper areas.
Some ocean currents directly contribute to specific climate effects. One example is the Gulf Current, which carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. If the Gulf Stream breaks down, much of western Europe, including the UK, Ireland and France, could become even colder.
3. The ocean is an important food source
Fish provide food for billions of people around the world every day. It accounts for nearly 16% of global animal protein consumption. Of course, seafood not only refers to fish, but also includes crustaceans and other edible sea creatures. A range of algae and marine plants are also commonly used in cooking.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations lists some of the important nutrients contained in seaweed, such as sodium, calcium, magnesium and iodine. Iodine deficiency has been identified as the “most common and preventable” cause of impaired cognitive development in children.
The pressure on resources and the environment has led people to call for changes in the structure of food production and human diet. For example, a cow produces 2.8 kilograms of greenhouse gases per kilogram of body weight and requires 10 kilograms of feed per kilogram of body weight.
Additionally, to obtain one gram of protein from cows, 112 liters of water are required. If properly managed and maintained, the ocean can be an important part of a more sustainable food source to feed the planet’s growing population.
4. The ocean’s biodiversity is incredible
The ocean is not only a source of food, but also home to a variety of organisms. While we can estimate the number of species living in the ocean, no one knows exactly what that number is.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s National Institutes of Health, “91 percent of marine species remain to be described.” This is largely due to the vastness of the ocean, which covers around 70% of the surface area and is as deep as 11,000 meters. The number of undiscovered organisms living in the sea could easily reach the order of millions.
The coelacanth is an example of the mystery and unfathomability of the deep sea. Coelacanths have been found in fossils and are thought to be extinct. However, in 1938 fishermen accidentally caught a live coelacanth off the coast of South Africa.
This fascinating deep-water creature could provide valuable insights into how marine animals adapted to life on land because their fins move in a manner similar to the way many four-legged animals walk.
5. The ocean creates millions of jobs
A report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that the marine industry will employ more than 40 million people globally by 2030, with the largest share of employment likely to be in the fisheries sector, followed by tourism.
Of course, the economic health of the maritime industry is fundamentally also linked to the overall health of the ocean. The ocean economy is particularly important in developing countries, where most of the 3 billion people who depend on the ocean for their livelihoods live.
Challenges such as climate change, pollution and lack of awareness of sustainable ocean management technologies place marine resources at ongoing risk. These risks will limit the potential socio-economic benefits of ocean resources for future generations, and even stifle the earning power of current people.
The ocean regulates rainfall and drought, accounts for 97% of the Earth’s water resources, and absorbs carbon dioxide to help keep the carbon cycle balanced. From food to jobs, the ocean is also a lifeline for billions of people.
But the ocean is also a beautiful natural environment that plays a valuable recreational role. Research has shown that time spent in nature is associated with reduced stress levels, and this may be something we should continue to explore.
What is the World Economic Forum doing for the oceans?
Our oceans cover 70% of the world and account for 80% of Earth’s biodiversity. We can’t have a healthy future without healthy oceans – but they are more vulnerable than ever due to climate change and pollution.
Addressing the serious threats to our oceans means working with leaders from all walks of life, from business to government to academia.
The World Economic Forum, in partnership with the World Resources Institute, convened the Friends of the Ocean Initiative, a coalition of leaders working together to protect our oceans. Friends of the Sea works with the Indonesian government to reduce waste plastics entering the ocean and implements plans to track illegal fishing around the world. It has been committed to finding new solutions to address marine threats.
Climate change is an integral part of ocean threats, with rising sea temperatures and acidification damaging fragile marine ecosystems. The World Economic Forum has taken a number of steps to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, including hosting the Alliance of Chief Executives for Climate Leaders, who have reduced companies’ carbon emissions by 9%.
conclusion
Ultimately, the ocean is a miracle of nature that touches every aspect of our lives and the well-being of our planet. Covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, it serves as the basic pillar of life on our planet. From its role as a primary oxygen producer through phytoplankton to its important contribution to climate regulation, the importance of the ocean cannot be overstated. In addition, the ocean provides a major source of food for billions of people around the world
