Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

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Ocean Initiative

All life, including yours,
depends on the oceans.

Standing on the shore, looking out over the vast expanse of sky and waves, the ocean seems boundless, unchanging, unfamiliar. But beneath the surface is a universe we barely know. Life began in the ocean. Like the air we breathe and the land we live on, the sea sustains us. The ocean is an interconnected global system. It provides food and livelihood for humankind. It shapes our climate and drives our weather, yielding at least as much oxygen as all the world's forests combined. It is our life support system and our future health depends on its vitality. Yet more than 95 percent of the world's oceans have yet to be explored. Now, more than ever, we need to learn about the oceans and share their wonders with people everywhere.

Promotional
Materials & Information

[NEW] Countdown to Ocean Hall

Ocean Initiative Brochure

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