Ocean Wide, Ocean Blue, You don't Know How Much We Rely on You

 All our hopes and dreams are in the ocean, you know. I mean, kind of. Oh, while it remains crucial to create solar farms and wind farms, and to hop in electric cars, and to plant trees, and . . .

  Don't let us forget the ocean. Don't let us forget the seas.

   I know you're big on trees, because you realize they can pull carbon dioxide right out of the air, just like magic. But, did you know that photosynthesis takes place on the surface of the seas, and on the surface of lakes, as well? Green algae? Hey, it plays a role in saving the planet. Something called phytoplankton? Yep, it too.

   So, next time you plant a tree to save the earth, maybe run down to the lake and throw in a handful of nitrogen or phosphorus, just for good measure. That's algae food, you see. So, sneak up to the edge of the lake and -- if you don't see a sign saying, "Don't feed the algae" -- toss in a whole generous handful of phosphorous. You can save the world that way, you know.

 Okay, I might be going a little too far. Algae is toxic to humans and animals. And, no, you won't save the planet by tossing a few bags of nitrogen fertilizer into the lake. And, yeah, perhaps I go a little too far in saying all our hopes and dreams are in the ocean.

  But, let's give you some perspective of just how important the ocean is. The ocean contain 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere does -- 50 times! And the ocean contains 20 times more carbon than all the trees and plants and soil -- 20 times!

   The ocean pulls carbon right out of the air. It captures it, and as marine life types swallow the carbon-laced algae and take it under surface, they poop it out or die and the carbon droppings sink right to the bottom of the sea.

   Pretty neat way to get rid of all kinds of carbon, right?

   Oh, and how about this: The ocean produces 50 percent of the oxygen you breathe. So, the ocean is not only great for a cool dip, it's great for a breath of fresh air.

   And, this -- how about this, too: That great body of global water absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions -- and it captures 90 percent of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

   Now, hearing all this, can you understand why the ocean has been called "the world's greatest ally against climate change"?

 So, maybe I wasn't so far off when I started this post by saying all our hopes and dreams lie in the ocean. Ocean wide, ocean blue. When it comes to holding the earth together, you're our glue.

(Index -- Climate change info)