Oceans are Essential

  • Covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface
  • Contains 97% of the planet’s water
  • More than 95% remains unexplored
  • Supports the life of nearly 50% of all species on Earth
  • Scientists estimate that 1 million-plus species remain unknown
  • Contains 99% of the living space on Earth
  • Provides nearly 50% of Earth’s oxygen
  • Provides 20% of the world’s protein supply12
  1. National Ocean Economics Program. State of the U.S. Ocean and Coastal Economies., ONLINE. 2009. Available: http://www.OceanEconomics.org/nationalreport [7 May 2010]. []
  2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Projected Participation in Marine Recreation: 2005 & 2010, National Survey on Recreation and the Environment 2000., ONLINE. 2005. Available: http://marineeconomics.noaa.gov/nsre/nsreforecast.pdf [7 May 2010]. []