Oceans produce oxygen
It is estimated that 50-80% of all oxygen on earth is produced by phytoplankton, algae, drifting plants and ocean bacteria that can photosynthesize.
One particular species of bacteria, Prochlorococcus is the smallest photosynthetic organism on earth, but producing 20% of all oxygen on earth, which is more than all tropical rainforests combined.
Around half of all oxygen produced in the ocean is also consumed by ocean life, while the other half is released into the atmosphere.
Oceans regulate the earth's temperature
98% of the sun's heat are absorbed by the ocean and distributes it more evenly via currents around the earth, cooling the hot areas and warming the colder areas, thus making earth more habitable in a very wide geographical range.
Oceans generate rain
The ocean plays the key part of the earth's water cycle.
They hold 97% of all water on earth that evaporates and is moved in clouds over the land, causing rainfall. Without oceans, no life on earth would exist.
Oceans fight climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide
Oceans absorb around 25-40% of all carbon dioxide that is in the atmosphere. This is helping us to mitigate the negative effects of human-driven increase of CO2 emissions, e.g. by burning fossil fuels and changing land use (e.g. deforestation).
This however comes at a cost: It results in the acidification of the oceans, "climate change's evil twin", which is impacting on many ocean species: Shells and skeleton of corals, oysters, crabs and snails begin to dissolve. Fish change their hunting and breeding behaviour, which might affect the whole food chain. There are ongoing studies examining if seaweed cultivation can slow ocean acidification.
Oceans provide our food
Not only does fish account for about 16% of direct human protein intake, but fish also accounts to around 1/3 of all food fed to farm animals.
Furthermore, all vegetables, crops and fruits we consume need water and 97% of water on earth is held in the oceans, causing our rainfall.
Seaweed is a food of growing popularity, already accounting for 27% of all marine aquacultures. Seaweed is a carbon negative crop with a high potential to mitigate climate change.
Oceans boast the greatest biodiversity on earth
Over 230,000 species of animals and plants are known to live in the oceans, but the ocean may contain far more species which are still unexplored, maybe up to 2 million species.
More than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored, particularly at large depths. We don't know what's down there and how human interference impacts on deep sea habitats. The biggest challenge of deep sea exploration is the intense pressure. At a depth of the marine trench, the forces pressing on a human body would be the weight of 50 large aircrafts.
Oceans are a source of recreation
Oceans are a popular spots for human recreation.
Research shows that being at the ocean makes people happier, reduces stress and improves health and well-being.
Recreational ocean activities include swimming, surfing, sailing, relax and having fun on the beach amongst many others.
Oceans are sources of medicine
Animals and plants that live in the ocean sit and swim in a bath of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms intent on turning them into a meal or a home. This diversity of threats has forced evolution to mount increasingly complex chemical battles. Some of the resulting compounds might be useful for our own war against disease.
Medicines already in use include a synthetic version of the toxin of a sea snail that is used to treat chronic pains, a compound from sea sponges to treat breast cancer, marine bacteria to treat various kinds of cancer, and several others. Molecules from the ocean are a large field of interest of medical research.
Oceans have therapeutic effects
Some scientifically proven health benefits of the ocean include the sounds of the ocean: The white noise of waves breaking on rocks relaxes our brains and stimulates the production of feel-good chemicals in our body, including serotonin and dopamine.
The colour blue of the ocean and the sky, which are associated to open spaces and wide horizons, inspires tranquillity and quietness.
The strong wind and intense ultraviolet radiation all year long, is particularly good for the respiratory tract.
Immersion into cold water (around 15C/59F) boosts immune system, circulation and energy levels.
The minerals of ocean water can improve skin conditions. Sea salts and muds are popular for cleaning and as a vehicle for cosmetic agents.
Oceans provide jobs (and volunteer and internship assignments :))
It is estimated that around 80 million people worldwide find employment and income in jobs that are directly related to the ocean.
Some exciting jobs for ocean lovers include marine biologist, boat crew member, aquaculture farmer, dive and watersports instructor, fisherman, underwater filmmaker, lifeguard, commercial diver, marine engineer, naval architect, marine researcher and scientist, marine environment educator, aquatic veterinarian, marine environment economist, hydrologist and oceanographer.
World Unite! can arrange internships and practical exposure through volunteering to several of these professional fields.
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