The ocean is closer than you think

The ocean is close to us, even if we live far from it and may never have seen it.

The ocean sneaks into everything we do, no matter where we are.

The ocean provides 50% of our oxygen

Phytoplankton, a marine plant, produces half of the world’s oxygen.

The ocean regulates our weather

The ocean absorbs over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. Without the ocean, the ocean’s water temperature would rise, our atmosphere would be unlivable, and our summers would be twice as hot.

The ocean is the rainmaker

Rain evaporating from the Pacific Ocean today could fall in Kansas next week.

The ocean feeds billions of people in the world

The ocean provides 15% of the world’s animal protein and is the primary source of nutrition for billions of people.

The ocean supports livelihoods and economies

From shipping 90% of the world's goods to supporting tourism and fishing, the "Blue Economy" is worth over $3 trillion annually.

The ocean is "out there" and right here

We don’t need to go far to experience the ocean’s presence and influence. Try this small experiment. For the next hour, spot where the ocean is everywhere you look. Here are some clues:

In your pocket The ocean powers your phone, laptop, and game console. We think of the "cloud" as being in space, but 99% of all international internet traffic travels through a massive network of fiber-optic cables laid directly on the seafloor. Every post you share, every text you send, every game you play travels through the deep sea.

In your kitchen From the salt on your table to the carrageenan (seaweed extract) that makes chocolate milk and yogurt creamy.

In your gear

Your bike, skateboard, and sneakers likely traveled across the sea on a massive cargo ship to reach you. Even the polyester in your clothes often starts as petroleum extracted from beneath the seafloor. When you wash them, microplastics shed into the water, eventually ending up in the ocean and in our bodies.

How can you reimagine daily life to protect and restore the ocean?

The following statements show how different people innovate to make a difference. Which one do you relate to the most?

“By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight.

The innovator I create digital prototypes and "circular" products designed to disappear, so plastic never even reaches the water.

Inspiration

Notpla creates packaging made from seaweed that you can actually eat or compost

The scientist I use satellite data and AI modeling to track "ocean hotspots," revealing exactly where protection is needed most.

Inspiration

Global Fishing Watch uses satellites to track commercial fishing worldwide in real time.

The engineer I build automated filtration systems, like those that use acoustic waves to dislodge microplastics from water, preventing pollution at the source.

Inspiration

Matter creates filters that capture microfibers from your washing machine before they reach the sea.

The designer I create high-performance gear from natural fibers and bio-dyes, ensuring that what we wear doesn't pollute water during washing.

Inspiration

Pangaia designs clothes using lab-grown "leather" and dyes made from recycled CO2.

The artist I create installations to raise awareness of the ocean’s beauty and our need to protect it.

Inspiration

Courtney Mattison creates massive, intricate ceramic reefs that show the fragile beauty of coral.

The leader I build the networks. I connect artists with engineers because I know that a great idea only changes the world when people work together.

Inspiration

Cyrill Gutsch turned his design agency into a global network for eco-innovation, Parley for the Ocean.

Take the innovator superpower quiz and meet people who might inspire you along the journey.

Reimagine your closet Reimagine your lunch

Reimagine your daily life

The possibilities to reimagine daily life through science, technology, biology, art and design are everywhere.

Get inspired See how people are reimagining products and services to protect and restore the ocean and how you might play a role.

Starts with curiosity Check out creativity resources.

Reimagine your... Every company, product and service began with someone asking a question:

“What if?” or “Why not?”

Storytelling for ocean innovation

Reimagine how our daily lives connect to the ocean and craft impactful stories that lead to change

71.life offers information, inspiration and resources to bridge the gap between innovation and impact. Explore Storytelling ACT Storytelling framework for innovation