When the ocean wins, we all win – but what does that really mean?
The ocean covers 71% of our planet, and while we think about the ocean daily, most of humanity focuses on land. But the ocean plays an outsized role in everyone’s daily life.
How so?
The ocean generates 50% of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90% of the excess heat generated by these emissions. And, the annual economic value of the ocean is estimated at $2.5 trillion, equivalent to the world’s 7th largest economy.
So a win is anything that encourages people to take action #fortheocean. Any innovative solution, major news story, scientific advancement, or behavior change to take action #fortheocean is a win in our book.
What does winning look like?
- Composting! Because it directly impacts ocean health by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building healthy soil, and reducing our reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Find out how you can start composting because the ocean is closer than you think.
- Ian Urbina’s Outlaw Ocean video series has been published in 34 outlets, 10 languages, and 28 countries (and counting!). The series examines the human rights and environmental crimes that often occur in the lawlessness of the high seas.
- The first public screening of Shaped by Water hosted outdoors with Narragansett Bay at our backs and more than 6,000 people joining us for this soulful film.
- After visiting our One Blue Voice Immersive Experience at The Ocean Race Newport, a student shared: “But what I loved most about it was how much I learned about the ocean providing all animals with life!” – Lucien.
- Some wins come with heartache, like the joy of 11th Hour Racing Team winning the critical double-pointer Leg 5, with the gut-wrenching news that they suspected hitting a marine animal while working fiercely over the past few months to raise awareness of this issue and creating a system for the sailing world to report incidents properly.
But we need to tally up many more wins to ensure the ocean continues to support us. It’s time to put the ocean first. This is the #oceanhour!
When the ocean wins, we all win.
Header image credit: Amory Ross / 11th Hour Racing