Why oceans matter

You can consent to the use of such technology by accepting and closing this notice. If you want to find out more, please read our cookies policy here. Why Oceans and Seas Matter. Humankind depends on oceans and seas. From the water you drink to the air that you breathe to the food you eat — all can come from or be transported by the ocean. However, at the current time, there is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters owing to pollution and ocean acidification, which has an adversarial effect on the functioning of ecosystems and biodiversity.

This is also negatively impacting small scale fisheries. Marine protected areas need to be effectively managed and well-resourced and regulations need to be put in place to reduce overfishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification. For all these reasons, it was necessary to create awareness through an Observance. Visit Ocean Today for more than videos on all aspects of the ocean realm—exploration and discoveries, marine life, science, and more.

Why should we care about the ocean? Our ocean provides countless benefits to our planet and all the creatures that live here. The air we breathe: The ocean produces over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. In the race to tackle the climate and nature emergency, the ocean is our greatest hope. It even provides the air we breathe - every second breath we take comes from our ocean. Right now, our once-powerful seas are being forgotten and are becoming fragile.

Over-fishing, pollution, coastal development and rising temperatures have left UK seas on the brink of disaster. Over 12 years ago the UK government promised us healthy seas by the end of