All of us are touched by our oceans every day, even if we don't get wet and even if we live thousands of miles away from one. Our oceans cover 70 percent of the earth's surface. They contain about 98 percent of the world's water. Oceans are highways for products and people who move by ship. A lot of what we sell and get from overseas goes through our ports and over the ocean in cargo ships.
Oceans are sources for minerals and other resources .
The oceans provide many jobs. One out of every six people has something to do with or depends on our oceans in some way. Oceans cause most of the world's weather patterns. A change in the water temperature affects our weather greatly. The phenomenon El Nino refers to a warm ocean surface temperature and changing wind patterns, which change the weather around the world.