[Did you know...?] These ocean threats are changing the planet

[Zedd]

Human interference presents the biggest threat to oceans. Scientists and conservationists hope these solutions will help turn the tide.

Many things pose threats to the oceans, and most, if not all, are caused by human activities. Eighty percent of marine pollution comes from land-based activities, causing rapid changes to entire marine ecosystems.

 

Oceans cover 70 percent of Earth’s surface and provide immense benefits to the planet. In addition to contributing shelter and food, about half of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean. It’s also the chief climate regulator and one of the planet’s greatest tools for capturing carbon dioxide emissions and excess heat, notes the United Nations.

 

However, the world’s oceans can only absorb so much heat. Global warming is causing alterations in ocean chemistry and many oceanic processes. It’s threatening many species of marine animals that cannot cope with higher temperatures. Overfishing, invasive species, oil spills, and plastic pollution are all contributing to the declining health of our oceans.

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