Contributed by Andrew Dilevics

We have so much to thank the oceans for. Polluting them with rubbish and toxic chemicals is not really the way we should be saying thank you.

The oceans cover more than 71% of the world’s surface. The ‘Global Ocean’ is so vast that it has been divided into 5 individual oceans, which are all connected.

The oceans provide more than 50% of the oxygen that we breathe and more than 96% of the world’s water supply.

If it weren’t for the oceans, we would not be here today. The oceans provide a variety of things that we need, these include; protein for food, plants that absorb the CO2 from our atmosphere, and help in reducing global warming. Some the most beautiful and helpful species on the planet live in the oceans.

Did you know that certain types of planst found in the oceans provide medicines that can  reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and help to battle against certain types of cancer?

Pollution has our oceans on the brink of disaster, however.

Did you know that in 2010, over 5000 square miles within the Gulf of Mexico was practically devoid of life because of the amount of pollution in the waters?

Over the last 30 years, the oceans have been used as dumping grounds for ‘run-off’ toxic chemicals, oil, litter and plastics. Even the smallest of mistakes from an oil rig can lead to catastrophic consequences for humans–not to mention the creatures that live in the ocean.