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National Ocean ServiceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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# Our Ocean

## Why should we care about it?

## Our World Ocean Provides...

*The air we breathe:* the ocean produces over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. *Climate regulation:* covering 70% of the Earth's surface, the ocean transports heat from the equator to the poles, regulating our climate and weather patterns. *Transportation:*76% of all U.S. trade involves some form of marine transportation. *Recreation:* From fishing to boating to kayaking and whale watching, the ocean provides us with many unique activities. *Economic benefits:*the U.S. ocean economy produces $282 billion in goods and services and ocean-dependent businesses employ almost three million people. *Food:* the ocean provides more than just seafood; ingredients from the sea are found in surprising foods such as peanut butter and soymilk. *Medicine:*many medicinal products come from the ocean, including ingredients that help fight cancer, athritis, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.  Download this graphic and share it!

## 30 Day Countdown in Celebration of National Ocean Month and World Ocean Day:

Happy National Ocean Month!
Celebrate the beauty and wonder of our ocean.

See more ocean images

Rip Current Awareness
Do you know what to do if caught in a rip current?

Facts about Rip Currents

Underwater Glider Map
See where underwater gliders are located around the nation.

View the Map

Celebrate and Protect
Celebrate and protect the ocean with us on World Ocean Day!

Read the Post

National Trails Day
Explore a 760-mile East Coast water trail.

Learn More

World Ocean Day
Celebrate with a video from NOAA's Ocean Today!

Watch the Video

Ocean Exploration
Why does ocean exploration matter? Here are six reasons.

Explore

Nominate a Sanctuary
You can nominate new marine sanctuary location!

Learn More

Alien Oceans
Are the oceans on other planets? Get the facts.

Read

Marine Protected Areas
What is the largest marine conservation area in the world?

Explore MPAs

Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidity dissolving tiny snails' protective shells.

Visit Climate.gov

National Get Outdoors Day!
Why not celebrate today by heading outdoors?

Find a site

Saving Sea Turtles
Watch how turtle excluder devices protect sea turtles.

View Ocean Today Videos

World Sea Turtle Day
What is the largest sea turtle?

Get Ocean Facts

Oceanography Merit Badge
What better way to celebrate the ocean than with an oceanography merit badge!

Read our Story

Help Protect Our Estuaries
Simple things you can do to help protect and conserve our nation's fragile estuaries.

See What You Can Do

NOAA View
Explore NOAA ocean data including sea surface temperature, ocean heat content, and bathymetry.

Explore NOAA View

Smarter Charters
Heading out to see whales, dolphins, or corals? Practice proper ocean etiquette!

Learn More

Tides and Currents
Where do you go to get tides and currents data?

You Go Here!

Mobile Sites & Apps
Get ocean and coastal info on the go with NOAA apps and mobile-friendly sites.

Go Mobile

Recreational Boating Resources
Heading out to sea? NOAA Offers Free Nautical Products for Fun and Safety.

Find Out More

Coral Reefs
What ocean basin has the most corals?

View Ocean Facts

Garbage Patch
What do you know about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Our audio podcast has the details.

Listen

King of the Reef
Listen to our podcast to learn more on this invasive species.

Listen

ENOW
Get data on the ocean and Great Lakes economy.

Check It Out

Blue Ocean
Ever wonder why the ocean is blue?

Read More

Our Ocean
Why should we care about our ocean?

See Why

###### More **Information**

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