Top Tweets for #Saveoceans

How the Ocean Makes the Air We Breathe When we think about oxygen, we usually picture forests and trees, but most of the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere actually comes from the ocean. Floating near the ocean’s surface are countless microscopic living things called phytoplankton. These include tiny algae and bacteria that drift with ocean currents. Like plants on land, phytoplankton use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food through photosynthesis. When they do this, they release oxygen into the air. Even though each plankton is incredibly small, together they cover enormous areas of the ocean. Because oceans make up over 70% of Earth’s surface, these tiny organisms produce an enormous amount of oxygen. Scientists estimate that about half - and possibly up to 80% - of the oxygen in the air comes from marine life, not from trees. We don’t usually see this happening, but satellites can detect large plankton blooms that spread across the sea like colourful clouds. These blooms show where oxygen production is especially high. Trees are still very important- they store carbon, provide homes for wildlife, and help control climate. But when it comes to making the oxygen we breathe, the ocean is the planet’s biggest contributor. That means protecting the ocean isn’t just about saving sea animals- it’s also about protecting the air we depend on every day.