More than 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans. The ocean regulates our climate, absorbs around 25% of carbon dioxide generated by human activities and supports the greatest abundance of life on our planet - from the freezing polar regions to the warm waters of the tropics.

According to National Geographic, the oceans hold about 321 million cubic miles of water, which is roughly 97% of Earth's water supply. That's enough water to fill about 352,670,000,000,000,000,000 gallon-sized milk containers! Oceans absorb the sun's heat, transferring it to the atmosphere and distributing it around the world. This heat drives global weather patterns and helps regulate temperatures on land. To read more about sea life and the human impacts, click here. 

World Oceans Day (8th June) focuses on the unity of our 5 major oceans in the world - the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern. Also to acknowledge the major role that it has in everyday life. With the ongoing water bodies’ related issues, such as plastic waste, decreasing level of water, impurities in water and others, it is the utmost necessity to preserve and conserve our oceans. They are the Earth's life support, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. 

Each year there is a theme for World Oceans Day - this year it is Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean - which will run from 2021 to 2030. The Decade will strengthen international cooperation to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society. Click here to learn more.