Oceans

This natural wonderland is the world’s largest living coral reef.

The ocean isn’t just beautiful to look at and listen to, and home to the most incredible living things on the planet. It is absolutely an essential part of our climate regulation system, holds one of the nine planetary boundaries we should not cross, and without it, life would cease on Planet Earth.

Have you ever heard the expression “the lungs of the earth”? Have you wondered, does our Earth really have lungs? Where does our oxygen come from?

Mitigating Climate Change: It Starts With Better Ocean Data

A molecule of CO2 emitted in India or China has the same effect on the climate system as a molecule emitted in the United States. No matter where we are, climate change affects us all the same.

The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia and can be seen from outer space. It is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometers (1,400 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 sq mi).

Today, we’re taking a look at the ocean and why it’s so important to sustaining human life. Off the top of our noggins, half the oxygen we breathe comes from plankton in our oceans, 15% of our global diet is from seafood, and the ocean helps to regulate our climate through carbon sequestration. Phew!

Global seafood consumption has more than doubled in the last 50 years, with demand reaching a staggering 143 million metric tonnes. And with an anticipated 10 billion people expected to inhabit the planet by 2050, the demand for animal protein will increase by 52 percent, making sustainable and healthy approaches to feeding the world more critical than ever before.

So today, we’re going to talk more about one of the most nutritious and sustainable proteins available on the planet — if sourced responsibly.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the first week of May is Sun Awareness Week. Skin cancer is the most common and preventable of all the cancers. And while we’re all desperate to get outside and catch some rays, it’s important to remember to protect our skin while also considering the effect those protections have on our environment.

No matter the season, we’re talking about how you can be sun safe and reef safe during these difficult times. BONUS: You won’t end up with a goofy mask burn!

Today, we’re talking with Kirsten Midura, Head of Operations at Sea Hive, an organization dedicated to fighting plastic waste before it enters our oceans. Sea Hive works with companies to help them choose plastic-free packaging for their products, and also offers information and educational materials on the plastic pollution problem facing the world today.

One hand passing a miniature Earth to another hand, green background.

The United Nations calls the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, “the plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity.” Together. For all of us. There’s no doubt this plan with its ambitious list of 17

Oceans

The Great Funding Facade for the Reef

Ocean Facts and Mysteries

Lungs of the Earth… Wait! Does our planet have lungs?

Mitigating Climate Change: It Starts With Better Ocean Data

The Great Barrier Reef and Climate Change

Oceans and Carbon Sequestration

Sustainable Seafood

Sunscreen and Sustainability

Sustainable Packaging: Sea Hive

The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals: Part 4