The ocean is the vast body of salt water covering over 70% of the Earth's surface. It is conventionally divided into several major basins and is the principal component of the planet's hydrosphere. The ocean is a critical global system, acting as a massive reservoir that regulates Earth's heat, carbon, and water cycles, thereby forming the foundation for worldwide climate and weather patterns.
This body of water is essential to life on Earth. It harbors the majority of the planet's biodiversity, including most of its animal and protist life. Historically, the ocean was the birthplace of photosynthesis, and it continues to supply approximately half of the atmospheric oxygen, making it indispensable for the survival of terrestrial and marine organisms alike.
Recently, the term "ocean" has appeared in news headlines across various contexts. These range from local governance issues, such as park access and utility upgrades in a specific Ocean County, to international energy projects involving offshore wind farms. Scientific discussions also continue, with research into Earth's deep geological history and its "magma ocean" being linked to planetary habitability. Furthermore, the ocean remains a central topic in global environmental policy, with experts emphasizing the role of data in climate change mitigation efforts at major international conferences.
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- Ocean County calls for ‘NJ residents first’ window for Island Beach State Park access - Asbury Park Press 2025-11-20 18:33 · Asbury Park Press
- JCP&L plans major upgrades in Ocean County - Transformers Magazine 2025-11-20 18:04 · Transformers Magazine
- Ocean Winds secures Celtic Sea floating offshore wind site in UK - Power Technology 2025-11-20 17:34 · Power Technology
- Magma ocean: Structures in the Earth's mantle are key to understanding its unique habitability - Open Access Government 2025-11-20 16:30 · Open Access Government
- Data Is Key to ‘Implementation COP’, Say Ocean Experts in Belém - Earth.Org 2025-11-20 16:01 · Earth.Org
- Whale of a Celebration: Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area fetes ocean environment in Ventura on Nov. 21, 23 - VC Reporter 2025-11-20 16:00 · VC Reporter
- “Ocean’s 75 Plus” Mike Schur Talks Season 2 of ‘Man On The Inside’ - Creative Screenwriting 2025-11-20 14:38 · Creative Screenwriting
- Homes at or under $1 million in Ocean County, Nov. 10 to 16 - NJ.com 2025-11-20 14:15 · NJ.com
- OMEGA’s New Planet Ocean Collection Splashes Down in All Its Retro Glory - Man of Many 2025-11-20 13:04 · Man of Many
- OS Public Works: Boil water advisory could lift Thursday if test results permit - WLOX 2025-11-20 12:21 · WLOX