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OCEAN LITERACY
OCEAN LITERACY
Essential Principles & Fundamental Concepts of Ocean Science
PRINCIPLE 6
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REVISION HISTORY
Date
Version
Revised By
Description
Aug 25, 2010
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VL
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ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE 6
6
The ocean and humans are
inextricably interconnected.
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6 | THE OCEAN AND HUMANS ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED
6(a) The ocean affects every human life. It supplies freshwater
(most rain comes from the ocean) and nearly all Earth’s oxygen. It
moderates the Earth’s climate, influences our weather, and affects
human health.
The Ocean Affects Every Human Life
The ocean supplies:
• Freshwater (rain)
• Oxygen
The ocean moderates and influences:
• Climate
• Weather
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6 | THE OCEAN AND HUMANS ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED
6(b) From the ocean we get foods, medicines, and mineral and
energy resources. In addition, it provides jobs, supports our nation’s
economy, serves as a highway for transportation of goods and
people, and plays a role in national security.
The ocean provides:
• Water
• Foods
• Medicines
• Minerals
• Energy resources (e.g. oil and natural gas)
It also provides:
• Jobs – e.g. fishermen, sailors, oil rig workers
• Supports our nation’s economy – e.g. food, energy resources
• Serves as a highway for transportation of goods and people
• Plays a role in national security
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6 | THE OCEAN AND HUMANS ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED
6(c) The ocean is a source of inspiration, recreation, rejuvenation
and discovery. It is also an important element in the heritage of
many cultures.
The ocean is a source of:
• Inspiration
• Recreation (e.g. swimming, scuba diving, sailing)
• Rejuvenation
• Discovery
It is also important in the heritage of many cultures
E.g. Cayman Islands – food, fishing, boat building, tourism
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6 | THE OCEAN AND HUMANS ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED
6(d) Much of the world’s population lives in coastal areas.
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6 | THE OCEAN AND HUMANS ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED
6(e) Humans affect the ocean in a variety of ways. Laws, regulations
and resource management affect what is taken out and put into the
ocean. Human development and activity leads to pollution (point
source, non-point source, and noise pollution) and physical
modifications (changes to beaches, shores and rivers). In addition,
humans have removed most of the large vertebrates from the ocean.
Humans Affect The Ocean
1. Pollution – putting hazardous materials into the ocean
• Sewage
• Runoff
• Warm water
• Fresh water
• Noise
• Plastic
2. Physical Modification – changes to beaches, shores & rivers
• Development
• Erosion
3. Over-Exploitation – taking out too much from the ocean
• Over-fishing
• Wasteful practices
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6 | THE OCEAN AND HUMANS ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED
6(f) Coastal regions are susceptible to natural hazards (tsunamis,
hurricanes, cyclones, sea level change, and storm surges).
Coasts Susceptible To Natural Hazards - Low Lying
• Tsunamis
• Hurricanes/Typhoons
• Cyclones
• Sea Level Changes
• Storm Surges
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6 | THE OCEAN AND HUMANS ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED
6(g) Everyone is responsible for caring for the ocean. The ocean
sustains life on Earth and humans must live in ways that sustain the
ocean. Individual and collective actions are needed to effectively
manage ocean resources for all.
Caring For The Ocean
We are all responsible for caring for the ocean
Practical Ways You Can Help
• Reduce your carbon footprint – e.g. use energy-saving light bulbs
• Change habits – e.g. walk, bike, take public transport if possible
• Reuse and/or reduce use of certain materials (e.g. plastic), recycle
• Improve understanding and education
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