Oceans - Our planet's life support
Every day in Australia and around the world, Earthwatch is working with scientists and volunteers to find solutions to pressing environmental issues. In our 40th Anniversary year we are highlighting an area that touches all of us – the ocean.
At the heart of the global ecosystem, oceans are a vital part of our lives; oceans moderate the global climate, generate two-thirds of the air we breathe and provide food, recreation and livelihoods for billions of people. Yet we know very little about what lies beneath our seas.
With the launch of ClimateWatch marine last month and Project Manta’s first official publication out this month along with the release of documentary “Manta Mystery” on National Geographic internationally, we are taking clear steps forwards to contribute to important oceans research.
Earthwatch’s much-anticipated 40th anniversary this year is not only a special celebration for the organisation but also an opportunity for us to help raise oceans awareness and draw attention to the health of our marine environment.
Funds raised during this spectacular evening will go towards a range of activities including satellite tags to identify and track marine animals, funding to help disadvantaged students learn new skills by studying marine conservation and even help to establish a new research project to help address the issue on marine pollution on nesting sea turtles or sea birds in the Pacific.
This spectacular evening, hosted by Hamish McLaughlan, will feature a keynote presentation by Dr Kathy Townsend who will share research highlights on the health of the world’s largest manta ray. Also featured will be a range of live and silent auction items – a diamond jewellery piece from Rio Tinto Argyle Diamond mine valued at up to $5,000, sporting memorabilia, and an exclusive Network 10 behind the scenes AFL experience. Set your eye on the prize(s) and visit our website for more details of these deluxe money-can’t-buy experiences and items.
For tickets visit www.earthwatch40th.org.au
Know our oceans:
More than 97% of all our planet's water is contained in the ocean.
The oceans provide 99 percent of the Earth's living space- the largest space in our universe known to be inhabited by living organisms.
More than 90% of this habitat exists in the deep sea known as the abyss.
Less than 10% of this living space has been explored by humans.
Plastic waste kills up to 1 million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish each year. Plastic remains in our ecosystem for years harming thousands of sea creatures everyday.