The Ocean does so much for us. And our health is intrinsically connected to it. Exploring this extraordinary relationship is the basis for an emerging scientific discipline called “Oceans and Human Health”. Check out these videos and resources to discover how the ocean is present in your daily life, regardless of where you live.
Most of our drinking water comes from the Ocean, as does the water used for agriculture and farming. Water evaporates from the sea’s surface and, as it reaches higher in the sky, cools down and turns into water to form clouds. Our rain comes from the Ocean and we can grow fresh food because of this wonderful resource!
A healthy Ocean can help to combat climate change and sustain our global water supply.
The Ocean is an essential food provider. Seafood gives us important vitamins and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which we can’t produce for ourselves. In Europe we eat a lot of seafood every year. Fish represents 17% of our protein intake and fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihood of many people across the globe.
A healthy Ocean can provide us with healthy, nutritious meals.
The Ocean is a massive body of water with a great ability to store heat. It plays an essential role in the regulation of the earth’s climate: the Ocean’s water currents distribute the absorbed heat around the globe, evening out the otherwise extreme temperatures of the poles and the equator, and making most of the earth habitable.
A healthy Ocean ensures us a free, well-functioning and natural air-conditioning system.
For a long time doctors have suggested spending time by the coast as a treatment for illness. Spending time by the sea makes us feel physically and mentally good. It reduces stress, promotes physical activity and increases social interaction. The UK economy could save up to €200 million in healthcare per year from water-based recreation alone.
A healthy Ocean breeds healthy humans!
The Ocean acts like a huge pharmacy! Thousands of new chemicals have been discovered in the past 40 years, helping us to treat a number of diseases! These include compounds with potent anti-cancer properties or chemicals used to treat cystic fibrosis. Even jellyfish, and their green fluorescent protein, are helping scientists advance the study of the nervous system.
A healthy Ocean is a treasure trove of cures for healthy communities.
The Ocean is full of life. Nearly 230,000 marine species have been discovered worldwide, from microscopic algae to gigantic blue whales. But scientists estimate that many more are still to be discovered! All these species form complex ecosystems that work together to keep us and many other creatures healthy. Ecosystems with lots of plants and animals are better able to cope with disturbances, such as climate change.
A healthy Ocean is essential to treat our children to the stunning gift of sighting marine creatures in the wild.
Learn the facts
97% of the planet's total water is found in the Ocean, and arrives to us as fresh water through the Water Cycle (evaporation-transport and condensation-rainfall).
Climate change is one of the most challenging issues that humankind has ever faced. It alters the water cycle, as well as wind and ocean circulations, resulting in extreme weather events (heatwaves, extreme cold temperatures, storms, hurricanes, etc.) that cost money ...and lives.
Seafood represents an important supply of essential compounds for the human body (proteins, vitamins, fatty acids, essential amino-acids and minerals). It is a fundamental protein intake for over 1 billion people worldwide. It is also a crucial economic activity, with a total value of exportation of seafood of almost €134.000 million/year. Worryingly, over 90% of the world's fish populations are overexploited. But there is still time to act.
The Ocean has a great ability to absorb and store heat: more than 90% of the heat from global warming ends up in the Ocean, making it warmer.
It is also a CO2 reservoir, absorbing approximately 25-30% of the CO2 that is emitted to the atmosphere, slowing climate change. This has resulted in the Ocean becoming 30% more acidic since the industrial revolution, with fatal consequences for many marine species and critical economic impacts on many countries (around €900 million annually only in Europe!).
In a study carried out in the UK, sailing alone was estimated to save more than €63 million in healthcare due to its health benefits. And surfing has been related to reduced risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease. However, due to badly managed sewage from coastal populations, there is an increased risk for bathers to suffer gastro-intestinal, respiratory and ear/eye problems. What issues affect the Ocean's gift of health?
The alga Karenia brevis, considered a harmful micro-alga, produces chemicals used to treat cystic fibrosis. But due to alterations in water quality, sometimes this type of alga grows massively, producing toxic algal blooms that are dangerous for marine organisms and for ourselves. In Florida alone, the tourism-related economic loss due to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have been estimated at €2.5 million per month.
Species shape complex ecosystems, with multiple relationships, where each species plays a crucial role. When one species disappears, it alters the ecosystems in unpredictable ways. Marine litter is one of the main issues that the Ocean, and its species, is facing. The equivalent to one truck-load full of rubbish is dumped into the sea every minute! 80% of this originates on land, and gets to the Ocean through water courses.
Do you know what is phytoplankton? How can it be so essential for your life? Well... apart from sustaining the whole marine food chain, phytoplankton is the most important oxygen-producer in the planet.
Phytoplankton is a plant-like organism, and as all other plants does the photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a waste product.
Simple things you can do everyday to contribute to a healthy Ocean, brought to you by Sea Change Project
Learn a few simple bathroom habits you can start adopting now.
Learn a few simple kitchen habits you can start adopting now.
Learn a few simple habits you can start now when in the supermarket.
Learn a few simple commute habits you can start now.
Learn a few simple office habits you can start now.
Learn a few simple habits you can start now when eating on the go.
