Oceans are the foundation of human life; climate, weather, air quality, food, trade and commerce, and adventure and discovery. Probably the one element we equate our lives to the ocean is for food. A surprising fact is that we spend over $55 billion a year for fishery products. But, did you know that our oceans also provide marine-based drugs for cancer, antibiotics, resistant staph infections, pain, asthma and inflammation?
The oceans can exist without humans but humans cannot exist without the ocean.
One way that the oceans support my life is from through a species of purple and red algae (seaweed). How you might wonder? I was amazed that through some digging around on the internet, this compound, carrageenan, a thickening and empulsifying agent is found in toothpaste and nut butters!!!! Wow ..... it adds to the consistency and the degree of spreadability. I need my toothpaste and love nut butters.
So, what can I do to aid in the health of our oceans? Go Plastics Free. Pickup trash in my neighborhood especially cigarette butts (they eventually make their way into the oceans), Reuse food scraps for making soups/broth. Definitely share "things you can do to help keep our oceans healthy" with friends and family.