The role of the Sea to Life

Sea has a very important role in controlling Earth's climate by moving heat from equatorial regions toward the poles. Without the role of the sea, then almost the entire planet Earth would be too cold for humans to live. Sea is also a source of food, energy (both renewable and non-renewable), and drugs. Coastal areas is also a very big role for human life. Nearly 60% of the population of Earth to live in the area around the beach.

As we know, more than 70% part of the planet Earth is covered by water (where most of it is ocean). Sea water is continuously moving around the Earth in a belt of very large flow of so-called global conveyor belt, moving from the surface into the ocean and back again to the surface. Wind, sea water salinity and temperature control the global flow of this belt. Belt is what role the flow heat transfer energy emitted by the Sun to the Earth. The movement of sea water around the Earth in a belt of the global flow requires a very long time which is about 1000 years. This movement can be divided into two parts, namely:

1. circulation generated by differences in seawater density, where the density of sea water depends on temperature and salinity price. Circulation is commonly referred to as the thermohaline circulation (from the word meaning thermo heat and haline which means salt).
2. circulation generated by surface winds that cause the ocean surface currents. One example of the currents generated by wind is the Gulf Stream currents.

Oceans also play capture the carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere in huge amounts. About a quarter of CO2 produced by humans from fossil fuel burning is absorbed and stored in the ocean. In some parts of the sea, the CO2 can be stored up for centuries and the very large role in reducing global warming.

Because once the importance of the sea for human life, it is a human duty to keep guard. The ability of the ocean to absorb CO2 is reduced if the lot were damaged marine ecosystems such as the destruction of coral reefs and mangrove forests. Coral reefs were like as a home for sea creatures. Similarly, mangrove forests, is home to sea makhluk2 who live near the beach. Without coral reefs and mangrove forests, slowly marine ecosystems will be threatened its survival so that the source of seafood that can be obtained by the fishermen would be much reduced. Many things have caused the destruction of mangrove forests and coral reefs, among others, the opening of large-scale farming areas, fishing with poison and environmental pollution.

If coral reefs and mangrove forests have been destroyed, to be able to rehabilitate a very long time required and cost is not small. Therefore let us together to preserve our environment and treat with a full sense of responsibility.