The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Are you aware our oceans provide enormous resources for the entire planet? Yes! More than our lands, our oceans provide seafood, clean air, drinking water, recreation, luxury travel, oil for heating homes, table salt, industrial products such as sandpaper, gasoline for automobiles, and ink for writing pens. Healthy coral reefs provide habitats, feeding, spawning, and nursery grounds for more than a million aquatic species and commercially harvested fish. The commercially harvested fish are a massive food source for islands farthest from the mainlands.
Historically, NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) proclaims four named oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. However, most countries – including the United States – now recognize the Southern (Antarctic) as the fifth ocean. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian are the most commonly known. The Southern Ocean is the ‘newest’ named ocean. Also, recognized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as a body of water extending from the coast of Antarctica to the line of latitude at 60 degrees South. The boundaries of this ocean were proposed to the International Hydrographic Organization in 2000. However, not all countries agree on the proposed boundaries, so this has yet to be ratified by members of the IHO. The U.S. is a member of the IHO, represented by the NOS Office of Coast Survey.
Everything Needs Water
Did you know volcanic eruptions happen due to climate change and form land masses? The clean air we breathe is because of the collected water molecules and the accumulated particles in the clouds at a particular altitude to produce rainy weather conditions, and each raindrop contains oxygen. Approximately 90% of air contains nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Air contains other gases in minute quantities, including gaseous water or water vapor. Notice the similarity in the biblical description and the scientific explanation above describing ocean and air formations.
Biblical text description: Genesis 1:6-7 “6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so.”
Fact finders discovered the earth will not flourish with animals, insects, birds, plant life, or human beings without the aid of the sea and its life forms. Many livestock, birds, etc., including us, depend on the ocean water for growth and daily consumption. Agriculture provides medicine, clothing, and shelter. Postulated by several survivalists, living creatures can not go without water for more than 3-consecutive days because the human body comprises 80% water. A myriad of underwater caverns deep beneath the ocean floor in conjunction with atmospheric rainfall, plant life would be improbable. The land provides us with resources, but not without the aid of our oceans.