What does the sea do for you?
Wealth, Jobs, Oxygen, Food, Sport, Health, Art, Leisure
- Provides oxygen. Phytoplankton, tiny plant-like organisms that live in the ocean, produce about half of the oxygen we breathe.
- Regulates our climate. The oceans absorb and redistribute heat from the sun, helping to keep the temperature stable. They also play a vital role in weather patterns.
- Provides food. Seafood is a major source of protein for 3 billion people Oceans provide ingredients for many other foods, such as seaweed and agar. Salt is extracted and is vital to our diet.
- Supports maritime transportation and trade. The oceans are the primary means of transporting goods and people around the world employing over 1 million people with trade worth over 10 trillion pounds a year.
- Provide recreation and tourism. People enjoy swimming, sailing, fishing, sunbathing etc thus improving our physical & mental health.
- Home to a vast array of biodiversity. The oceans are home to more species of plants and animals than any other ecosystem on Earth.
- Source of inspiration, awe, and beauty. Many artists have painted and photographed them.
- Many medicines come from the ocean, including ingredients that help fight cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.
- Seaweed is used in a variety of products, food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Chitosan, derived from shellfish shells, is used in bandages, water filters, and food packaging.
- Energy: The oceans are a huge potential source of renewable energy, such as tidal power and wave energy.
- Resources: The ocean contains a wealth of resources, including minerals used in electric batteries, oil, and gas. Desalination providesd drinking water.
- Coastal protection: Ecosystems provide a home for millions birds and fish and make natural barriers to protect us from flooding.
The seas and oceans are essential to our survival and well-being. We need to do everything we can to protect them.
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