The 7 Things Absolutely Everyone Should Know About the Ocean
Raising Awareness of the Fundamental Importance of the Ocean
The Ocean Agency
Photo Ocean Image Bank / Yen-Yi Lee
Spotted Eagle Ray by Francois Baelen / Ocean Image Bank and The Ocean AgencyThe Ocean Agency
These facts are inspired by the UN Ocean Literacy Principles
1. The ocean makes our planet habitable
Our ocean couldn't be more important — it makes life on Earth possible. The earliest evidence of life as we know it has been found in the ocean. The ocean also acts as the planet’s life support system, providing necessary water and oxygen and stabilizing global temperatures.
2. The ocean regulates the climate and the weather
The ocean has been protecting us from the worst impacts of climate change. The ocean absorbs about 93% of the excess heat caused by climate change. Scientists estimate that if the ocean wasn't doing this job, the average surface temperature would be over 50°C (122°F).
3. Humans are entirely dependent on a healthy ocean
The ocean provides food and livelihoods for billions of people, providing oxygen and water as well as other less obvious ways such as certain medicines.
4. The ocean is home to the vast majority of animals
Life evolved in the ocean and it's still where most animal life on Earth can be found. 78% of all animal biomass lives in the marine environment. What's more, scientists have estimated that 91% of the ocean's species have yet to even be classified.
5. Over 80% of the ocean remains unexplored
Although the ocean covers more than 70% of the planet’s surface and impacts the lives of every living thing on Earth, much of it remains unexplored. Research shows that over 80% of the ocean is yet to be mapped — or explored at all — by humans.
6. Our world is shaped by the ocean and ocean life
For millions of years, the ocean has shaped our terrestrial world. From carving mountains to forming islands, it works at an epic scale. It's something we should remember now more than ever - the ocean is the world's biggest carbon sink, making it key to solving climate change.
7. There is only one ocean
The ocean is the planet's life support system. Although the ocean is divided into five regions (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Southern Oceans) — it's actually one body of water that connects us globally. What happens to the ocean in one location can impact anywhere else.
Turtle on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia by Jordan Robins / Ocean Image Bank and The Ocean AgencyThe Ocean Agency
Find out more
Find out more about Our Incredible Ocean in our Creative Communication Toolkit.
Dive into the Ocean Toolkit
Artwork from the Ocean Decade Exhibition generously created by Aanish Peshave, Keronix Raze, Hansreudi Ramsauer, Hüseyin Sahin, Tim Helou, and Umut Recber.
Visit Ocean Decade Exhibition for more on our work for the UN Ocean Decade.
