I have to say these things over and over again. Because I live here. On Earth. And I can’t get over these facts every time I hear them.
Here’s the thing. Our oceans cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface.
Here’s the other thing. The majority of life on this planet is aquatic. As so much of the Earth’s surface is underwater, it comes as no surprise that there is a lot beneath. So yes. Marine species outnumber those on land. But, it’s an incredible 94 % of the Earth’s living species that exist within the oceans.
As such, with all that massive space, less than five percent of the planet’s oceans have been explored. In a way, this scares me. What really lies beneath?
I recently read a book about an octopus, an aquarium, and some people. The octopus, in particular, captivated me. I think there is so much we do not know. About the deep.
Like this. The world’s longest mountain chain is underwater. It is called the Mid-Ocean Ridge and is almost entirely beneath the ocean, stretching across a distance of more than 40,000 miles. It’s said that this mountain chain is less explored than the surface of Venus or Mars.
Here is something else that is highly interesting. Because of all the shipwrecks throughout history, there are more historic artifacts under the sea than in all of the world’s museums. So if you don’t want to spring for the price of a museum ticket, grab your scuba gear. A good spot? Head south. Around 1,000 shipwrecks lie off the Florida Keys alone.
But scientists, and world leaders, are always trying to get to know our oceans better. Way back in 2009, the United Nations hosted its first World Oceans Day. The day is set aside to celebrate oceans while raising awareness of the threats they and their marine ecosystems face. It is typically celebrated on June 8th.
Yet, all around the world, people are working to save our oceans and also to learn more about them. We, humans, keep doing all sorts of things to screw up our planet, including our oceans. But we need them. We also need to be better stewards of our home. Before it is too late.
Awareness is key. And then progress. Let’s all hope. But more than that, let’s do our everyday things to help in the cause. I do believe every positive measure counts.
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“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”
― Mother Teresa
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“Everybody has a little bit of the sun and moon in them. Everyone is part of a connected cosmic system. Part earth and sea, wind and fire, with some salt and dust swimming in them. We have a universe within ourselves that mimics the universe outside. None of us are just black or white, or never wrong and always right. No one. No one exists without polarities. Everybody has good and bad forces working with them, against them, and within them.
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
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“I am the shore and the ocean, awaiting myself on both sides.”
― Dejan Stojanovic, The Shape
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What the heck is down there. Or do I want to know?
