Introduction
Earth from space - NASA
Viewed from space, Earth looks like a watery world. The world’s oceans (from Okeanos, Greek for river, the ancient Greeks noticed that a strong current flowed off Gibraltar, and assumed it was a great river); cover 71 percent, or 361,000,000 km², of the Earth’s surface and make up 97% of the planet’s water supply.
Life is believed to have begun in our seas between 3.1 billion and 3.4 billion years ago. However, it was not until relatively recently – around 400 million years ago – that the first land creatures began to evolve.
But there is considerably more to our oceans than the thousands of plants and animals that live beneath its surface. Life depends on water in all it’s forms, as Earth’s temperature is just right for water to be present in the oceans, atmosphere, soil and icecaps.
Oceans shape our lives as they provide water, food, energy and industrial materials. They also influence our weather and atmosphere, and provide recreation and transport. As an island nation, the UK has a historic involvement with the sea. Shipping is particularly important because we depend on sea transport for our trade. The British merchant navy continues to play an important role in our national security, and our traditional maritime strength and present day seafaring skills still underpin Britain’s leadership in many international businesses.
Here we present an awareness of the importance of the oceans to our environment and our own wellbeing as without them there might not be any life.