It is so vast that people underestimate the impact their seemingly insignificant actions have on them. Humans have generally taken the presence of oceans for granted; without considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A widespread mentality is that the oceans are a bottomless reservoir of fish, natural resources and an infinite landfill. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious is marine life. Given that 71% of the Earth is covered by water, it stands to reason that marine creatures are the predominant life form, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, this is not the only reason why saving the oceans is critical. The ocean floor provides natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, petroleum, minerals, medicines, and ingredients for foods and products. The economic benefits of the oceans are also enormous and significant. Fisheries and seafood have employed 38 million people and generated approximately $124 billion in economic benefits. However, the oceans are on the brink of crisis, marine life, natural resources, transportation, the economy and important ingredients are at risk due to overfishing, pollution and acidification. Therefore, in this essay I will argue that the oceans are not impervious to human activities and that threatening the health of the oceans threatens the health of humanity, as the oceans are critical to our survival. Overfishing is the most serious ocean problem, but it is also the most neglected. Fishing has been going on for thousands of years and fish has always been seen as a renewable resource, capable of replenishing itself forever to our advantage. But there is evidence around the world that fish are not being recovered... middle of paper..." by Bahá'í International Community. Endangered Oceans." Louise Gerdes, Ed. Opspiring Viewpoints® Series, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Bahá'í International Community, “Perspectives: The Blue Planet: Oceans in Crisis,” One Country, April-June 2006. “Oceans.” Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Views in Context. Network. November 30, 2011. “The Health of the World's Oceans is Declining Rapidly” by Pew Environmental Group. Conserving the Environment. Debra A. Miller, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 2010. Protecting Life in the Sea, Philadelphia, PA: Pew Environment Group, The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2008. “Water Pollution.” Environmental encyclopedia. Ed. Marci Bortman, Peter Brimblecombe and Mary Ann Cunningham. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Views in Context. Network. November 27. 2011.

Topic > It is so vast that people underestimate the impact their seemingly insignificant actions have on them. Humans have generally taken the presence of oceans for granted; without considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A widespread mentality is that the oceans are a bottomless reservoir of fish, natural resources and an infinite landfill. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious is marine life. Given that 71% of the Earth is covered by water, it stands to reason that marine creatures are the predominant life form, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, this is not the only reason why saving the oceans is critical. The ocean floor provides natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, petroleum, minerals, medicines, and ingredients for foods and products. The economic benefits of the oceans are also enormous and significant. Fisheries and seafood have employed 38 million people and generated approximately $124 billion in economic benefits. However, the oceans are on the brink of crisis, marine life, natural resources, transportation, the economy and important ingredients are at risk due to overfishing, pollution and acidification. Therefore, in this essay I will argue that the oceans are not impervious to human activities and that threatening the health of the oceans threatens the health of humanity, as the oceans are critical to our survival. Overfishing is the most serious ocean problem, but it is also the most neglected. Fishing has been going on for thousands of years and fish has always been seen as a renewable resource, capable of replenishing itself forever to our advantage. But there is evidence around the world that fish are not being recovered... middle of paper..." by Bahá'í International Community. Endangered Oceans." Louise Gerdes, Ed. Opspiring Viewpoints® Series, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Bahá'í International Community, “Perspectives: The Blue Planet: Oceans in Crisis,” One Country, April-June 2006. “Oceans.” Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Views in Context. Network. November 30, 2011. “The Health of the World's Oceans is Declining Rapidly” by Pew Environmental Group. Conserving the Environment. Debra A. Miller, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 2010. Protecting Life in the Sea, Philadelphia, PA: Pew Environment Group, The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2008. “Water Pollution.” Environmental encyclopedia. Ed. Marci Bortman, Peter Brimblecombe and Mary Ann Cunningham. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Views in Context. Network. November 27. 2011.