It is often thought that there are five oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Southern (Antarctic)
In reality they are all connected by a continuous circulation of currents around the world, creating one single continuous body of water, a global ocean.
This ONE ocean plays a vital role in regulating and sustaining our planet. But, with declining ocean health, our future is uncertain. Biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change are all affecting our marine environment in ways we are only beginning to understand. We need to act now if we are to truly understand their full impact before it is too late.
Here at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) we do everything we can to deepen our world’s understanding of our ocean, including the currents that connect it.
Surface ocean currents are driven by the winds, transporting heat from the equator towards the poles, releasing heat and moisture into the atmosphere along the way.
When the warm water reaches the north and meets the colder water, it forces the cold water to sink to the ocean depths where it travels back towards the equator. This system of surface and deep currents acts like a giant conveyor belt that transports heat, salt, nutrients and dissolved gases, around the world’s oceans.
This global conveyor has a strong influence on our planet. For example, it interacts with the global carbon cycle to remove carbon dioxide from the air, and store it in the deep ocean. This is just one way in which our ocean impacts our world.
As the UK’s leading ocean science charity, we work with organisations and decision makers around the world, using our expert knowledge to find the best ways to halt loss and restore our ocean.
You can be a part of this vital work by pledging to protect our ocean today and in the future.
I pledge to protect our ocean with a gift today
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If you have any difficulties making a donation, or requesting the poster, please contact Sam Thomas on +44 (0)23 8059 9666 or email giving@noc.ac.uk.