![[aggregator] downloaded image for imported item #1949](https://echoesofthelastmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/our-ocean.jpg "Why should we care about the ocean?")
The world ocean provides so many benefits. Here are ten things the ocean does for humans and the planet:
– The air we breathe: The ocean produces over half of the world’s oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere.
– Climate regulation: Covering 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, the ocean transports heat from the equator to the poles, regulating our climate and weather patterns.
– Transportation: Seventy-six percent of all U.S. trade involves some form of marine transportation.
– Recreation: From fishing to boating to kayaking and whale watching, the ocean provides us with many unique activities.
– Economic benefits: The U.S. ocean economy produces $282 billion in goods and services and ocean-dependant businesses employ almost three million people.
– Food: The ocean provides more than just seafood; ingredients from the sea are found in suprising foods such as peanut butter and soymilk.
– Medicine: Many medicinal products come from the ocean, including ingredients that help fight cancer, athritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.
This was originally published on https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/why-care-about-ocean.html
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