Children’s health and the ocean: a vital connection

Human health and well-being, even the health of people who live far from the sea, depend on the health of the ocean. The ocean holds 97% of the world’s water and generates more than half of atmospheric oxygen. It absorbs more than 90% of excess heat released and nearly one-third of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions and thus slows climate change.1 It is the principal source of food and nutrition for 40% of the world’s population, including 2 billion children. It is the origin of multiple essential medicines. Interactions with the ocean, coasts and salt marshes—‘blue spaces’—benefit our physical and mental health, social development and spiritual well-being.