How Does the Ocean Get Rights and Why Does It Need It?

Reader Contribution by Darlene May Lee and Earth Law Center
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For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.Jacques Yves Cousteau

When we think about Earth, we usually think about land: trees, plants, and flowers. Then we consider photogenic big animals like snow leopards and pandas (the technical term for these particular big animals, by the way, is “charismatic mega fauna” – large animal species with widespread popular appeal[1] – there so now we can both sound like experts). Actually, water covers most of the planet – the ocean’s surface accounts for 71% of Earth’s surface and contains 97% of our planet’s water[2]. That’s why you see Earth referred to as the “blue planet”. Viewed from space, Earth is most definitely blue.

Who doesn’t love a trip to the beach? But I didn’t really consider more deeply why humans need oceans to survive. Some of the surprising things I learned include:

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