6 Ways You Depend on the Ocean — Even if you Don’t Live Near it!
Both people and our planet are made up of about 70% water, yet the connection between us and the ocean is often overlooked. From the air we breathe and food we eat, to the weather we experience, the economy we share and even our mental health, our ocean is a vital resource that all living things depend on.
Even more so for those of us who live in the Midwest, the distance between us and our ocean feels vast. But the Great Lakes in our own backyard are connected to the ocean through channels like the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The waters of Lake Michigan make way to the Gulf of Mexico through the Illinois River and the Mississippi River. On our shared blue planet, we are bound and connected by water in many ways.
Read on to see just how much you depend on our ocean!
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The Air You Breathe
The deep ocean is our planet’s greatest carbon sink, meaning it absorbs more carbon – an Earth-warming gas – than our atmosphere. The ocean is also home to microscopic but mighty plants and animals called plankton. Phytoplankton, which are tiny plants, produce 50-80% of the Earth’s oxygen through photosynthesis. Visit Plankton Revealed here at Shedd to unpack their importance despite being at the bottom of the food chain.
Climate and Weather Regulation
When you stand on the shore of Lake Michigan, you can often see waves crashing in as the tides roll in and out. Those waves move through lakes and our ocean based on forces exerted by the sun and the moon. Out of view under the surface, water currents are also moving back and forth, pushing warm water and precipitation from the equator to the poles, while cold water from the poles moves back toward the equator. Without these currents, temperatures would be more extreme and living conditions unfavorable in regions like the Midwest.
Oceanic Nutrition
Our ocean is a vital food source for many communities around the nation, and for the animals and plants that we eat. Fish meal is used to feed poultry and pork and used to organically fertilize crops. As of 2023, it was reported that the average American ate around 20.5 pounds of seafood that year. Shedd is committed to sourcing seafood sustainably, and you can, too. By supporting sustainable fisheries, you can help protect aquatic ecosystems that both people and animals rely on. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program recommends you look for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council blue fish label when shopping for fish.
We can thank the ocean for both our sunny and stormy days. Covering 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean moves heat to and from the equator and the North and South poles, regulating our climate and our weather, like how your heart regulates your body’s blood flow.
The Maritime Industry
The ocean is crucial for the transportation of our goods and supports our economy. Ever wonder how that package came to be at your doorstep? It likely traveled on a cargo ship! Nearly 76% of U.S. trade involves some form of ocean transportation. Channels like the St. Lawrence and Erie help facilitate that trade and movement of goods into the Midwest. The ocean economy contributes $432 billion in goods and services, provides $730 billion in sales and the marine sector provides 2.3 million jobs annually.
Mental Wellbeing and Water
Studies have shown that being near our ocean, and any other body of water, can increase mental wellbeing. The “blue mind theory” states that people enter a mildly meditative state when they are near, in, or around bodies of water. The mere sight and sound of water triggers the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin in our brains – the hormones that increase the feeling of being calm and happy. There are easy ways to produce a blue mind experience. Going for a swim, reading near water and even being present at an aquarium can lower levels of anxiety and inspire a blue mind. Listening to ocean waves or exploring aquatic habitats at Shedd may induce the same relaxing effects.
Significance of Water Access
Recreational ocean or water activities can positively impact our physical health, as well as how one connects to our waters. Having access to bodies of water allows us to participate in water sports, boating and wildlife viewing. Being able to find ways to move our bodies with the water fosters a healthy lifestyle and a relationship with our aquatic ecosystems.
No matter where you live, there is a high chance you are connected to the ocean without even realizing. Living in the Midwest provides access to the ocean, as well as the benefits of being close to large bodies of water. All our waterways connect to other streams, rivers, lakes and ultimately our ocean. Knowing our connection to water, Shedd is committed to conserving our waterways and the wildlife that lives there through efforts like plastic reduction, conservation research and connecting millions of guests to the aquatic animal world. When you visit Shedd, join us for a litter cleanup or come to an after-hours event, your support for a Midwest aquarium powers ocean conservation.