April 22 is the annual day to celebrate our planet so let's take a moment to think about the oceans.
Did you know that:
Almost 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans that contain 97% of the planet’s water.
And yet more than 95% of the oceans are still unexplored. (Source: 67 Interesting Facts About Earth)
Oceans are important for many reasons, including acting like a big sponge and soaking up 25% of the carbon dioxide our activities create.
But there are challenges.
The temperature of the oceans is increasing and this causes their water levels to rise, and the rate at which they are rising is increasing.
Microplastics are floating in our oceans and being ingested by the wildlife that call the ocean home.
Yet there are helpers who are working to regenerate reefs, clean up floating plastic debris, implement protection policies and reduce carbon emissions.
What is a small action that you can take to make a difference for our oceans?