Importance of the ocean and things we can do to keep our oceans clean
One of the massive problems the ocean is facing is pollution. plastic pollution to be precise.
Importance of the ocean
The ocean is one of the greatest resources we have on the planet, providing a lot of benefits to both human and animals.
It helps us breathe
Phytoplankton – tiny plant-like organisms that live in the sea – are responsible for at least 50% of the oxygen on Earth.
Just like land-based plants, they contain chlorophyll to capture sunlight and use photosynthesis to convert it into the energy they need, producing oxygen as a byproduct. They also consume carbon dioxide, transferring about 10 gigatonnes of carbon from the atmosphere deep into the ocean each year.
It controls the climate
The ocean retains immense measures of intensity from the sun. Over 90% of the heat that has occurred on Earth throughout recent years has happened in the ocean.
That intensity will in general be at its most extraordinary closer the equator, with the water closest the surface warming the most. Sea currents then, at that point, transport that intensity all over the planet; north and south, towards the poles. As a portion of the ocean water vanishes it becomes denser and heavier, because of its generally higher salt substance. That makes it sink, taking a portion of the warm water further.
Important source of food
Where do you think we get our fish from? On land? Nooooo. The ocean plays an important role in provide food for both human and animals. The ocean provides fish, which accounts for almost 16% of all animal protein consumed globally. Of course, there are more seafood that the ocean provide than fish, it also provides other edible crustaceans that has a lot of health and nutritional benefits
Many creatures depend and live on the ocean
The ocean is not just a source of food. It is home to the greatest abundance of life on the planet. We see only dolphins, whales or turtles popping up to take some breathe, but there are lots of other beautiful animals under the sea. Experts predict4 that there are more than 300.000 different species underwater, and is still not clear how many of them we know.
How we can save the ocean
You and I have an essential role to play. Sadly, there is the equivalent of five trash bags full of plastic for every single foot of coastline in the world. If we do nothing about it, there will be over 1.3 billion tons of plastic dumped into the environment – in the ocean and in landfills – over the next 20 years. This plastic waste is fatal to animals; according to one study, plastic waste kills up to one million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals per year.
Here’s a list of what you and I can do to save the ocean and enjoy its benefits
Educate others
Not everyone knows the importance of the ocean, the amazing benefits it poses to mankind. Let them know how they are endangering the life of so many species by not being eco friendly.
Offer support
If you are in a position to offer support, please do. Donating to non profits organizations can help the organizations and movements they are leading to eradicate the ocean of its plastic waste and save the planet.
Respect the ocean
When you go fishing , don’t throw anything into the ocean. Respect the ocean. Respect the ocean, bring everything you brought with you when you leave, and don’t throw anything— certainly not your garbage— anywhere. You know that straw wrapper that blew away in the wind when you were having lunch? Go get it.
You don’t throw bags of trash on your bed. You keep your houses clean. Why not the ocean?
Say no to plastic
Let me tell you something surprising; Did you know research estimated that about 30 years from now there will be more plastic bottles in the ocean than fish? We can prevent this from happening. Most of this plastics end up in the ocean, in the stomach of innocent marines, thereby endangering their lives and species.
A study by the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland found that the seafood we eat today has traces of plastics. Someone eating sardines, for example, could ingest up to 30 mg of plastic or the equivalent of a grain of rice.
Sounds like Karma, right? What we do will definitely turn around to haunt us.
Clean the beach
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Picking up litters on the beach when you see them even if they aren’t yours. Sounds like a good idea, right? Even if we are not financially capable to donate to organizations, we can at least play our part by doing this.