Rich biodiversity
Life began in the oceans, and continues to thrive in its diverse habitats. With as many as 100 million species - from the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth, the blue whale, to the tiniest bacteria - marine biodiversity far outweighs that on land. And new species are being discovered all the time.
Vital role for life on land...
The oceans also have a huge influence on us landlubbers. They produce 70% of our oxygen, absorb heat and re-distribute it around the world, and dominate the world's weather systems.
...and shapers of human history
The oceans have also shaped human history, culture, and lives - and continue to do so. We eat their bounty, bask on their beaches, swim in their waves, dive around their wonders, send our goods and raw materials across their surface, and mine their mineral- and oil-rich floors. There are very few people who are not somehow influenced by the oceans, even if they never set sight on one during their life.
