It is estimated that 80 percent of all life on Earth exists beneath the oceans' waters. Not only do these waters provide a vital food source for humans, but they also create over half our oxygen, dictate weather patterns, and keep the planet livable. Unfortunately, human activity is quickly diminishing the state of our global oceans and the species that live there. According to a report done by Greenpeace International, the key threats people pose on the fate of our global oceans are: industrial fishing, bycatch, unfair fisheries, unsustainable aquaculture, global warming or climate change, and pollution.
Inspired to take action, but don't know where to start? Browse this page for more information and to find out what you can do to help.
| Center for Whale Research says... Follow their blog! |
| Coral Reef Alliance says... |
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| Sea Turtle Restoration Project says... |
Earth Focus Episode 19: Development Threatens the Galapagos
In this episode of Earth Focus, witness the devastating effects of development on the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Responsible tourism may be the answer to protect the natural heritage of the islands. Learn more at www.igtoa.org.
Also, scientists in India have revived a local ancient breed of chicken that produces both eggs and meat, called the Giriraja Chicken. Could this be India's answer to the global food crisis?
And, in Alaska, people's lives are changing as temperatures have risen significantly, melting essential permafrost and forcing human migration.
This report is followed by an interview by correspondent Miles Benson with Jonathan Jacoby of Oxfam America, in which the impacts and potential benefits of climate change for large businesses are discussed.
Learn more about the state of our Earth's oceans, and find out what you can do.
In this episode of Earth Focus, witness the devastating effects of development on the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Responsible tourism may be the answer to protect the natural heritage of the islands. Learn more at www.igtoa.org.
Also, scientists in India have revived a local ancient breed of chicken that produces both eggs and meat, called the Giriraja Chicken. Could this be India's answer to the global food crisis?
And, in Alaska, people's lives are changing as temperatures have risen significantly, melting essential permafrost and forcing human migration.
This report is followed by an interview by correspondent Miles Benson with Jonathan Jacoby of Oxfam America, in which the impacts and potential benefits of climate change for large businesses are discussed.
Learn more about the state of our Earth's oceans, and find out what you can do.
Earth Focus Episode 19: Development Threatens the Galapagos
In this episode of Earth Focus, witness the devastating effects of development on the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Responsible tourism may be the answer to protect the natural heritage of the islands. Learn more at International Galapagos Tour Operators Association.
MORE FROM THIS SERIES: |  |
Do you love seafood but worry about contributing to overfishing and the harm being done to the ocean's ecosystem? Check out this list of ocean-friendly seafood recipes courtesy of the Natural Resources Defence Council!
Learn more from these organizations protecting the world's oceans and marine life:
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| Specials & Documentaries |
June 8, 2010 - World Ocean Day
2010's World Ocean Day theme, acknowledged by the UN, is "One Ocean, One Climate, One Future". Learn more from The World Ocean Project. Click here for ocean events near you.
U.N. Rejects Export Ban on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
March 18, 2010
Aquatic 'Dead Zones' Contributing to Climate Change
March 16, 2010
Senator John Kerry Introduces Legislation to Protect Whales
PR Newswire - March 15, 2010
Culture clash over Japanese whaling
BBC - March 15, 2010
US says sea turtles endangered
Boston.com - March 10, 2010
The Heat Over Bubbling Arctic Methane
New York Times (Blog) March 5, 2010
Cancer Kills Many Sea Lions, and Its Cause Remains a Mystery
New York Times - March 4, 2010
Orca attack raises question of captive animals
AP - March 1, 2010
Marianas Says U.S. Has Failed to Fulfill Ocean Monument Promises
The New York Times - March 1, 2010
Sea of plastics
Science News - February 25, 2010
Dead Pigs Shed Light on Ocean Dead Zones
Discovery News - February 23, 2010
Ban on commercial whaling ‘to end’
Times Online - February 23, 2010
Pelican die-off blamed on disappearance of fish
San Francisco Chronicle - February 23, 2010
Japan says its whaling complies with international accord
Monsters & Critics - February 22, 2010
Australia threat over Japan whale hunting 'unfortunate'
BBC News - February 21, 2010
Dolphins’ Health Shed Light on Human and Ocean Health
NOAA - February 18, 2010
Activists, Japanese whalers skirmish
CNN - February 18, 2010
Dutch Fishermen Join Their Catch on Endangered List
New York Times - February 15, 2010
Coral in crisis, feds petitioned to protect reefs
The News-Press - February 15, 2010
Fossils 'record past sea changes'
BBC - February 15, 2010
Ocean acidification is speeding up
Planet Earth - February 15, 2010
Marine Protected Areas : A Solution for Saving the Penguin
Science Daily - February 11, 2010
US agency to review threats for 82 coral species
Washington Post - February 11, 2010
Why are Galapagos sea lions moving to Peru?
Christian Science Monitor - February 8, 2010
Gaza's fishermen look to farms, not the sea
BBC - February 2, 2010
Sea Shepherd crew tell of 'murderous' brush with death
Sydney Morning Herald - January 29, 2010
Whales 'don't need to die' for science
ABC News - January 29, 2010
Sea level data spanning 35 million years pulled from 6,000-foot hole
Sify News - January 27, 2010
Save the salmon -- and us
Los Angeles Times (OpEd) - January 24, 2010
15 whales die beached in NZ, 33 coaxed to sea
Washington Post - January 24, 2010
Couple spends days saving sea turtles in Guatemala
Chicago Sun-Times - January 24, 2010
16-year old girl starts solo sail around globe
Washington Post - January 24, 2010
Pacific's rising acid levels threatening marine life
Seattle Times - January 20, 2010
Study: Rising Seas Threaten Bangladesh Tigers
ABC News - January 20, 2010
Efforts to half salmon decline
BBC - January 15, 2010
Something fishy in whaling debate
The Australian, OpEd - January 15, 2010
Canada hopes China will embrace seal industry
Canada.com - January 12, 2010
Bird's yearly trek averages record 44,000 miles
MSNBC - January 12, 2010
Cutting fishing can help reefs bounce back
Planet Earth - January 11, 2010
Anti-whaling ship's bow sliced off by Japanese
Times Online - January 7, 2010
Sea lions showing up in Oregon
San Francisco Chronicle - January 6, 2010
New 'Strawberry' Crab Species Found off Taiwan
ABC News - January 5, 2010
Arctic Ocean Awakening as Ice Melts
Discovery News - January 5, 2010
NOAA Proposes Critical Habitat Revisions for Leatherback Sea Turtles
NOAA News - January 5, 2010
Plastic kills thousands of seabirds each year
Examiner - January 5, 2010
Scientists carry out whale study
Sydney Morning Herald - January 5, 2010
China oil spill hits Yellow River
AFP - January 3, 2010
Reports: Sea levels rising fastest along New Jersey coast
News Room Jersey - December 29, 2009
Famous San Francisco Sea Lions Abandon Their Pier 39 Post
Wired News - December 28, 2009
Feds may extend right whale habitat off Brevard
Florida Today - December 28, 2009
125 Whales Die In New Zealand, 43 Saved
Red Orbit - December 28, 2009
More than 20 beached whales die in New Zealand
Trak.in - December 27, 2009
To Save the Planet, Save the Seas
New York Times - December 26, 2009
Oceans noisier, acoustic environment harmful to marine life
Xinhua - December 22, 2009
Committed to cleaning the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch'
Washington Post - December 21, 2009
Ice divers plunge into the Arctic to see how polar bears are faring
USA Today - December 21, 2009
Acid oceans: the 'evil twin' of climate change
AP - December 18, 2009
Deepest volcano caught on Pacific Ocean video
BBC - December 18, 2009
Scientists watch deep-sea volcano for first time
AP - December 17, 2009
Sponges found on ocean floor 'absolutely bizarre'
Honolulu Advisor - December 15, 2009
Feds changing Hawaii swordfish fishery regulations
Associated Press - December 11, 2009
Great Pacific Cleanup
Newsweek - December 10, 2009
Task force urges faster move to reform fishing
Associated Press - December 10, 2009
New climate change signal: oceans turning acidic
Christian Science Monitor - December 9, 2009
In Search of New Waters, Fish Farming Moves Offshore
environment360 - December 3, 2009
Shark fins traced to endangered populations
MSNBC - December 1, 2009
Nigeria: Ocean Warming Threatens Fishing Communities
allAfrica - November 29, 2009
Seven canoes to fight ocean pollution
Fiji Times Online - November 22, 2009
What's the Catch? Is Albacore Tuna truly sustainable?
The Independent - November 22, 2009
Thousands of strange creatures found deep in ocean
Associated Press - November 22, 2009
Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests
Environmental Leader - November 17, 2009
Birds, boats threatened by the Pacific's Great Garbage Patch
USA Today - November 16, 2009
Last Act for the Bluefin
New York Times (OpEd) - November, 2009
Swarms of tiny robots to monitor the oceans
Christian Science Monitor - November 13, 2009
Warming drives off Cape Cod's namesake, other fish
Associated Press - November 12, 2009
US takes brown pelican off endangered species list
AFP - November 11, 2009
Tuna fishing kills an albatross every five minutes
Scientific American - November 10, 2009
Cold Ocean Water to be Turned Into A/C
U.S. News & World Report - November 8, 2009
Singapore Red Cross to send aid relief to storm-hit Vietnam
Channel News Asia - November 5, 2009
Huge Australian Oil Spill Raises Questions
CBS News - November 4, 2009
Project Kaisei: voyage to clean up the plastic vortex
CNN - November 1, 2009
'Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King': a life in and about the ocean
Seattle Times - November 1, 2009
Woman tackles 'Great Garbage Patch'
CNN Tech - October 29, 2009
U.S. maps protected Alaska habitat for polar bears
Reuters - October 22, 2009
Seafood guide combines human and ocean health
Associated Press - October 21, 2009
Shell gets conditional OK for Beaufort drilling
Associated Press - October 19, 2009
A Carbon Neutral Whale?
U.S. News & World Report
Oceans seen as new front to fight climate change
Indian Ocean nations conduct mass tsunami drill
Overfishing: Are there really plenty of fish in the sea?
Mother Nature Network - October 6, 2009
Tuna’s plight is a problem the world must solve
Christian Science Monitor - October 6, 2009
The Pacific 'Ring of Fire'
BBC - October 1, 2009
Australia’s Million Tons of Dust Create Feast for Ocean’s Algae
Bloomberg.com - September 30, 2009
Hatching a marine breakthrough
Boston Globe - September 28, 2009
Palau to Ban Shark Fishing
New York Times - September 24, 2009
Healthy Oceans = Fit Economy?
Public News Service - September 22, 2009
'Millions at risk' as deltas sink
BBC - September 21, 2009
Tuna Town in Japan Sees Falloff of Its Fish
New York Times - September 19, 2009
Obama’s ocean task force releases report
Christian Science Monitor - September 18, 2009
Oceans in crisis
Canada.com - September 17, 2009
Obama Ocean Task Force Focuses on the Pacific
Public News Service - September 17, 2009
World’s Oceans Were Warmest on Record in June Through August
Bloomberg - September 17, 2009
Ocean rubbish patch likely larger than Big Island
Big Island Weekly - September 16. 2009
Sea Turtles in Battle For US Nesting Grounds
Voice of America - September 16, 2009
Key salmon spawning rivers all but dry
San Francisco Examiner - September 14, 2009
Big Spill’s Bad Timing Puts Oil Drilling at Risk: Kevin Hassett
Bloomberg.com - September 14, 2009
Dolphin slaughter turns sea red as Japan hunting season returns
Guardian - September 14, 2009
Deep-Sea Robot Roves the Unexplored Ocean Depths
Wired Science - September 11, 2009
A Messy Pacific
Las Vegas Sun - September 10, 2009
Federal agency advances walrus listing petition
Associated Press - September 8, 2009
Fish kill total may be up to 4 million, setting record
ENCToday.com - September 7, 2009
Study: Loggerhead turtles put at risk by fishing
AP - September 3, 2009
Obama Administration Allows Factory Fish Farms in Gulf of Mexico
Common Dreams - September 3, 2009
Ocean acidification may be trouble for Alaskan fish
Reuters - September 3, 2009
ANSYS Harnessing the Power of Ocean Waves
Reuters - September 2, 2009
Trash Vortex-Seeking Ship Returns to San Francisco Bay
MSNBC - September 1, 2009
Has Japan's Dolphin Slaughter Been Prevented?
AlterNet - September 1, 2009
Strange jellies of the icy depths
BBC Earth News - September 1, 2009
India's idol rituals take toll on environment
CNN - August 31, 2009
Fish farming not the only culprit in salmon decline
Canada.com - August 31, 2009
Restoring Our Ocean Riches
Poder360 - August 28, 2009
Poor Care of the World's Oceans Imperils the Planet
Poder360 - August 28, 2009
Researchers: Pacific Trash Possibly Killing Fish
abc News - August 27, 2009
Four crucial resources that may run out in your lifetime
GizMag - August 27, 2009
Marine life: Illuminating the ocean
The Guardian - August 26, 2009
White House Task Force Crafting 'Marching Orders' for Managing Oceans
NYTimes - August 24, 2009
Hurricane wave sweeps Maine spectators out to sea
Associated Press - August 23, 2009
Record high sea temperatures threaten more hurricanes
San Francisco Examiner - August 21, 2009
No-fishing areas don't address ocean problems
San Francisco Chronicle - August 21, 2009
U.S. Bans Commercial Fishing in Warming Arctic
NYTimes - August 21, 2009
In hot water: World sets ocean temperature record
Associated Press - August 20, 2009
Toxic Soup: Plastics Could be Leaching Chemicals into Ocean
Wired Science - August 19, 2009
‘A Sea Change’ humanizes a sometimes abstract threat
ABC 7 News - August 17, 2009
A New Focus on Ocean Conservation
New York Times - August 16, 2009
Pesticides, Ocean Pollution Focus of Federal Effort
Water World - August 14, 2009
Ocean Temperatures Are Highest on Record
New York Times - August 14, 2009
Local residents worry most about depletion of fish stocks, new study finds
Canada.com - August 13, 2009
Humans 'Damaging The Oceans' In Profound Ways
Science Daily - August 11, 2009
Global Warming Jeopardizes World's Most Diverse Marine Ecosystem
Environment News Service - August 10, 2009
Jaws of Life
Guardian - August 10, 2009
Executive Managed Research in Antarctica, Devoted Himself to Protection of Marine Mammals
Washington Post - August 9, 2009
California to further restrict coastal fishing
Los Angeles Times - August 6, 2009
State creates network of marine reserves
San Francisco Chronicle - August 6, 2009
State adopts new set of marine protected areas
San Francisco Chronicle - August 5, 2009
Marin woman leads expedition to huge garbage heap floating in Pacific
San Francisco Chronicle (blog) - August 5, 2009
Scientists discover deepest coral reefs off Britain
Telegraph - August 4, 2009
Hawaii protecting coral reefs with big fines
Associated Press - August 2, 2009
Expedition Sets Sail to the Great Plastic Vortex
Time - August 1, 2009
Pioneer ventures to tap ocean power into usable electricity
The Australian - August 1, 2009
Microscopic Creatures Stir the Oceans
New York Times - July 31, 2009
Bay Area beach water pollution study
San Francisco Chronicle - July 30, 2009
Fish for dinner: Overfishing easing in some areas
Associated Press - July 30, 2009
Beach pollution still nationwide problem
USA Today - July 29, 2009
Not so many other fish in the sea
Santa Monica Daily Press - July 29, 2009
Sea Otter Population Rebounds in US Northwest
Voice of America - July 28, 2009
Guilt-free sushi
Christian Science Monitor - July 28, 2009
"Deadliest Catch" seamen say fishermen not greedy
Reuters - July 28, 2009
Monaco seeks global bluefin tuna trade ban
AFP - July 28, 2009
Scientists Find a Microbe Haven at Ocean’s Surface
New York Times - July 27, 2009
Climate change: New study backs UN panel on ocean rise
AFP - July 27, 2009
Kerry teams with cable channel to protect sharks
The Boston Globe - July 27, 2009
Is the ocean Florida's untapped energy source?
CNN - July 27, 2009
Ocean Acidification, Global Warming's "Equally Evil Twin"
PR News Wire - July 20, 2009
Oceans are Seeing Warmest Temperatures in Recorded History
Opposing Views - July 19, 2009
How to Save an Increasingly Crowded Ocean
CBS News - July 17, 2009
In a Killing Cove, Siding With Dolphins
New York Times - July 17, 2009
Fishing Nations Spare Both Atlantic and Pacific Tuna Species
Environment News Service - July 16, 2009
Sea lions are flooding into Bay Area rescue centers
Los Angeles Times - July 15, 2009
Feds ban krill fishing to save it for the whales
Associated Press - July 14, 2009
Fishing with Big Brother
Boston Globe - July 12, 2009
Ocean-friendly eating: 10 seafood choices from local waters
Boston Globe - July 12, 2009
Marine reserves essential to ocean health
SF Examiner - July 11, 2009
First marine protected area proclaimed
Namibia Economist - July 10, 2009
OPINION: Will there always be another fish in the sea?
NewsDay.com - July 9, 2009
RPT-Arctic ice thinned dramatically since 2004 - NASA
Reuters - July 7, 2009
Will we empty the oceans?
Christian Science Monitor (Blog) - July 6, 2009
VANISHING HABITAT: As the delta goes, so go our salmon
San Francisco Chronicle - July 5, 2009
Shell Oil Proposes New Arctic Ocean Drilling Plan
CommonDreams.org - July 1, 2009
The Environmental Risks of Arctic Shipping
New York Times (blog) - June 29, 2009
Shark-Fin Soup, Over-Fishing Threaten Predators With Extinction
Bloomberg.com - June 25, 2009
Third of All Shark Species Threatened With Extinction, Group Says
Foxnews.com - June 25, 2009
Feds plan to loosen protections on endangered sea turtles
Los Angeles Times - June 22, 2009
Summer salmon fishing should be great
Seattle Times - June 21, 2009
Rising ocean temperatures near worst-case predictions
The Age (AU) - June 19, 2009
Sick sea lions present a mystery
SFGate.com - June 19, 2009
Piracy, geopolitics and private security
The New Nation (Bangladesh) - June 18, 2009
The Pacific isn’t the only ocean collecting plastic trash
Christian Science Monitor - June 18, 2009
Obama launches ocean protection plan
Reuters - June 12, 2009
Save the Bluefin Tuna
Huffington Post - June 9, 2009
10 Ways to Help Save Our Oceans
The Nature Conservancy - June 8, 2009
Saving the seas for marine mammals
BBC News - June 8, 2009
Another tough summer for Arctic sea ice
Christian Science Monitor - June 5, 2009
Scientists set 2020 goal for improving Pacific Ocean's health
Taiwan News - June 2, 2009
Future protection of the oceans could lie in the past
CNN.com - June 1, 2009
CORAL DANGER: Environmental group launches expedition to assess danger to coral from trawler gear
Canada.com - May 31, 2009
Lawsuit seeks more protection of sea turtles
San Francisco Chronicle - May 29, 2009
Bad news, and good news, in our emptying oceans
The Globe and Mail (CAN) - May 25, 2009
Mining the ocean floor
Christian Science Monitor - May 22, 2009
With salmon facing extinction, will pols continue "treading water"?
Seattlepi.com - May 20, 2009
Fishing 'risk to Channel wrecks'
BBC News - May 20, 2009
Naval War Games Threaten Traquility On Lost Coast
KTVU.com (San Francisco, CA) - May 19, 2009
Sea creatures wash up on beaches
BBC News - May 19, 2009
EPA sued over acid oceans
BusinessGreen.com - May 19, 2009
Filmmaker warns of 'world without fish'
Ballard News-Tribune - May 18, 2009
NASA Supercomputing Goes Green: Modeling Earth's Ocean Climate
NASA - May 18, 2009
Ocean conference agrees to protect South-East Asia Coral Triangle
MonstersandCritics.com (Asia Pacific News) - May 15, 2009
Climate change threatens millions who live off sea
Associated Press - May 14, 2009
The Plastics "Out There" and "In Here"
The Huffington Post - May 13, 2009
Ocean conference: Not enough money for adapting to climate change
Monsters and Critics.com (USA) - May 13, 2009
World Ocean Conference to Face Climate Change
Bernama.com (Malaysia) - May 12, 2009
Scientists solve mystery of missing basking sharks
Christian Science Monitor - May 12, 2009
Scientists Discuss Climate Change at World Ocean Conference
Voice of America - May 12, 2009
Oceans should be focus of climate change fight, experts say
Deutsche Welle - May 11, 2009
Climate body to bring ocean issues to UN
Jakarta Post - May 8, 2009
Federal study opens new avenues for mercury pollution research
New York Times - May 5, 2009
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