Big Issues
The oceans covers 72% of our planet’s surface, produce 70% of our oxygen, dominate the world’s weather system, and absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide. From the largest animal that has ever roamed our planet, the blue whale, to microscopic bacteria, the ocean is home to as many as 100 million species; the biodiversity of our marine world far outweighs that on our terrestrial earth.
The tide of human history and cultures has moved with the oceans and continues to do so today, but below the endlessly rolling waves is a world as vulnerable to destruction as the land on Earth that we have become to know so well. More time, energy, and money have been invested in space exploration than in discovering the wonders of our own deep ocean environment, and yet what is happening in our oceans has direct and severe consequences to the health of our planet and humanity as a whole. The marine environment is facing challenges on such a gargantuan scale that the issues must be addressed today in order to avoid the consequences of living in a world engulfed by dead seas.
The health of our oceans affects the health of our environment, livelihoods and economies. Even if you have never dined on seafood, basked on beaches, surfed salty waves, or dived to its depths, you most probably have used goods and raw materials that have traveled half way around the world on ocean surfaces or been mined along the sea’s mineral and oil rich beds. Driving a car links you to the seas that absorb its CO2 emissions and whether your skies are full of rain or sunshine is in part decided by the ocean.
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Big Oceans - Big Issues
Even if you have never cast your eyes upon the blue heart of our planet, there is no escaping the oceans – they influence everyone and everyone influences the oceans. We are collectively responsible for their health and in turn – our health.The oceans covers 72% of our planet’s surface, produce 70% of our oxygen, dominate the world’s weather system, and absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide. From the largest animal that has ever roamed our planet, the blue whale, to microscopic bacteria, the ocean is home to as many as 100 million species; the biodiversity of our marine world far outweighs that on our terrestrial earth.
The tide of human history and cultures has moved with the oceans and continues to do so today, but below the endlessly rolling waves is a world as vulnerable to destruction as the land on Earth that we have become to know so well. More time, energy, and money have been invested in space exploration than in discovering the wonders of our own deep ocean environment, and yet what is happening in our oceans has direct and severe consequences to the health of our planet and humanity as a whole. The marine environment is facing challenges on such a gargantuan scale that the issues must be addressed today in order to avoid the consequences of living in a world engulfed by dead seas.
The health of our oceans affects the health of our environment, livelihoods and economies. Even if you have never dined on seafood, basked on beaches, surfed salty waves, or dived to its depths, you most probably have used goods and raw materials that have traveled half way around the world on ocean surfaces or been mined along the sea’s mineral and oil rich beds. Driving a car links you to the seas that absorb its CO2 emissions and whether your skies are full of rain or sunshine is in part decided by the ocean.
- Industrial fishing accounts for more than 50% of the documented fish extinctions in recent years.
- Destruction of habitats where fish spawn or feed is responsible for another third.
- Rising ocean temperatures are another threat.
| OVERFISHING |
| SHARK FINNING |
| BYCATCH |
| FISHING METHODS |
| C02 EMISSIONS |
Learn more about how you can Help.