given that future change regarding climate policy may not be possible without the unwavering support of corporations and politicians, it is vital to convey the economic impact the oceans have on the world. in addition, the state of global economic affairs also plays a key role in the well-being and standard of living for humanity as a whole, and loss of ocean biodiversity could turn entire economies toward collapse.
in the United States, 14% of counties adjacent to the coast produce 45% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). in 2014, the U.S. ocean economy, which includes six economic sectors that depend on the direct resources from the ocean and Great Lakes, contributed 3.1 million jobs and more than $325 billion to the GDP. furthermore, ocean-based tourism employs another 2.4 million people and contributes $124 billion in GDP each year.
globally, 59.6 million people were engaged in fisheries and aquaculture in 2016. the oceans have been estimated to contribute a total of about 21 trillion U.S. dollars to human welfare across the globe yearly. furthermore, the ocean is of even higher importance to developing countries, which are home to the vast majority of the 3 billion people who depend on the oceans for their livelihood.
changes in climate, pollution, and lack of care towards sustainability in ocean activities puts billions of people at risk, hampering the socio-economic benefits of the oceans for ourselves and for generations to come.
an ocean in crisis 