Why the Ocean matters…to all of us!
Today is World Ocean Day! The call to action from the United Nations is to revitalize this precious resource that supports our life source.
Growing up and raising my two boys in New Zealand, I cannot imagine not experiencing the beach in our lifetime. It is where I went when I needed to destress. It is where surfers adventure and become one with the waves. It is where children feel the sand and water with their tiny feet and connect with mother Earth as she whispers “shh…all will be well”.
Snorkelling on holiday in the reefs of Fiji, showed us the diverse life that is supported under the surface. However, I couldn’t help but notice that the reef appeared to be struggling to thrive with the pollution from locals and tourists that do not respect their role as mere visitors to these precious resources.
Then, a few years ago, my family moved inland, to Texas, USA. Where the nearest beach is 3 hours away. Where natural waterways are few and far between…
And I started to notice that children (and their adults) who live inland often don’t feel or see a connection to the Ocean. Many, (especially from dense, urban, less affluent places), have never even seen the beach firsthand! I remember feeling a pang of sadness when I asked children from less affluent schools if they had seen the beach or the ocean. Only a few raised their hands…
So how do I connect them with my book about water when they have no firsthand experience? Don’t worry, I have discovered a few tricks to do this in the classroom, because one thing is common across all classrooms across the world…children are naturally curious!
By why should you — human being, parent, teacher, educator, business person, professional — even care about the Ocean? We should just leave that to environmentalists shouldn’t we?
The problem is that environmentalists research and educate…but they do not hold the power to change the impact of human “development” on our planet. Only we do. As individuals, children, professionals, educators, business leaders and government leaders. Only we do.
Each one of us. In the decisions we make every day. Do you grab a one time use plastic water bottle or refill in an insulated, reusable bottle? Do you expect one time use plastic bags at the grocery store? Or do you take your reusable shopping bag? If you hold a party or get takeout, do you care if your plates, containers and utensils are one time use? Or do you prefer them to be biodegradable or re-usable?
Do…you…care?
Should you care?
Well, here are some facts for you to ponder for yourself, your families and your communities.
Decide for yourself.
The Ocean produces 50% of the Earth’s oxygen. So, even if you can’t see the ocean from where you are…50% of the air you breathe comes from the ocean. The Ocean also absorbs 30% of the Carbon dioxide produced by fossil fuels.
The Ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. That leaves 30% of the surface as landmass. So how much of this do humans occupy?
According to Science Daily, 95% of the world’s population lives on less than 10% of the land. That is 10% of the 30% of land that is not Ocean….that calculates to human beings living on a mere 0.03% of the total surface of Earth.
So perhaps we need to be a little more respectful of the mighty Ocean and our impact on this incredible resource?
Just to give you more perspective…50–80% of all life on Earth is living in the Ocean.
Did you also know that the Ocean regulates the Earth’s temperature? Without the Ocean, we would either be living on ice or rock…or perhaps not living at all…
Finally, even if you do not live near the ocean, there will be a river near you (because without water, there is no life) and that river will be finding its way to the Ocean, one or another… Check out this cool tool with your children and see for yourself.
So it is that the Ocean sustains us and connects us all. Globally. As a human race. We occupy this beautiful planet for a short time, on a tiny space.
Let’s respect the resources that sustain life for billions of years…
Here are some more interesting articles for you and your children to do research further:
https://www.marinebio.org/creatures/facts/
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/ocean-fact
