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Oceans
Coasts
Islands

Resources on
Oceans

State of
OCEANS
Coasts
Islands

Ocean one-pagers:
Do we know enough of Oceans?
Urban Interface:
Human Fingerprints all over
Policy Options:
Message in a bottle

Hilltops to Oceans Initiative

A new ocean is born: Southern Ocean

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"At first the oceans divided the continents. Then they brought them together ... "

UN Decade of
Ocean Science for
Sustainable Development
2021-2030


Visit the
UN Ocean Atlas!

Many big weather events, such as hurricanes, typhoons, floods or drought, are generated by changing ocean conditions. Major climate events, such as El Niņo and La Niņa, result from ocean temperature changes. El Niņo refers to abnormally warm ocean surface temperatures and changing wind patterns, which changes weather around the globe.

Global fish production exceeds that of cattle, sheep, poultry or eggs. It is the biggest source of wild or domestic protein in the world. But 15 of the world's 17 largest fisheries are either overfished or in trouble.

Rivers and other water bodies that flow into oceans carry an incredible volume of plastic waste - at least 1.1 million tonnes! This would be equivalent to the load of one garbage truck dumping plastic waste every minute!