Protecting Ocean Biodiversity

Protecting Ocean Biodiversity

Protecting ocean biodiversity is essential to a healthy planet.

Oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and play a major role in regulating our climate by absorbing excess heat and carbon dioxide and moving warm and cold water around the globe. They are also home to much of the planet’s biodiversity, with some estimates suggesting oceans contain up to 80% of all life on Earth.

Protecting this biodiversity is important for the environment, communities, cultures, and spiritual traditions around the world. Healthy oceans are also essential to addressing climate change.

Friends of the Earth works to strengthen fair and effective protections for ocean ecosystems, support Indigenous-led ocean governance, and push for stronger regulations on activities that harm marine biodiversity.