Sometimes when you try to put something into words, you realise someone else has already found the best possible way to express what you wanted to say. So, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite quotes which perfectly put into words why the team here at Reef-World cares about the ocean. We hope you enjoy them!
"How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean."
Arthur C. Clarke
A famous one to start us off – you’ve probably heard this quote many times before. But it’s so true: the oceans cover around 71% of the planet’s surface and support life on earth itself. So, it does seem funny that we call the planet Earth rather than Ocean – perhaps that’s because 80% of the ocean remains unexplored!
“Why is it that scuba divers and surfers are some of the strongest advocates of ocean conservation? Because they've spent time in and around the ocean, and they've personally seen the beauty, the fragility, and even the degradation of our planet's blue heart.”
Sylvia Earle
If you’ve been scuba diving, this quote from the legendary Sylvia Earle needs no more explanation. Once you’ve seen, first-hand, the beautiful and mysterious world that lies beneath the waves, it’s hard not to fall in love. And the heartbreak of seeing litter on our dive sites and microplastics on our beaches makes us realise that we need to act now to protect our oceans. It’s a huge motivator for us at Reef-World in our work to help people protect coral reefs through the UN Environment’s Green Fins initiative.
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."
Jacques Cousteau
As a team of divers passionate about the ocean, the sea has certainly cast its spell over the Reef-World team, which is why we’re working so hard to protect it.
"There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away."
Sarah Kay
We could watch the tide all day!
“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean.”
Dave Barry
Any scuba divers reading will surely agree with this sentiment. There’s something magical about sharing the water with turtles, sharks, fish and other marine life in their own habitat. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out!
“Darling it's better down where it's wetter. Take it from me!”
Sebastian, The Little Mermaid
OK, we couldn’t help but slip some Disney in there (sorry if you have this song stuck in your head all day!).
"The sea is as near as we come to another world."
Anne Stevenson
There’s no denying there are some creatures in the ocean so weird and wonderful they could be from another planet. Goblin sharks. Narwhals. Nudibranchs. Dumbo octopus. Bobbit worms. Upsweep in the Pacific. Blobfish. Need we go on…?
“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me) it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.”
EE Cummings
The sea does always seem to have that remarkable ability to remind us who we are and what’s important, don’t you think?
"To me the sea is a continual miracle; The fishes that swim, the rocks, the motion of the waves, the ships with men in them. What stranger miracles are there?"
Walt Whitman
We’re hard pressed to think of many things stranger and more miraculous than the ocean!
"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul."
Robert Wyland
This one particularly resonates with us – perhaps it’s because everyone at Reef-World is so passionate about the ocean that we’ve dedicated our careers to protecting it but there is something special and wonderful about the ocean. You might say it’s our happy place: diving and being by the sea brings us joy.
“The most single revelatory three minutes for me was the first time I put on scuba gear and dived on a coral reef.”
David Attenborough
Can you remember how you felt the first time you dived on a healthy coral reef? For us, it was like a whole new world opened up to us!
"The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish."
Jacques Cousteau
So true – one of our favourite things about scuba diving is the glimpse it gives us of the lives of fish and marine life in their own natural habitat.
“Every time I slip into the ocean, it's like going home”
Sylvia Earle
While we’re visiting the home of fish and other underwater creatures when we’re diving, the familiar sense of calm and peace it brings is reminiscent of returning home.
“And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back from whence we came.”
John F Kennedy
While this might not be 100% scientifically correct, it’s a nice thought that our very essence is tied to the ocean.
“Ocean is a mighty harmonist.”
William Wordsworth
According to the Collins English Dictionary, a “harmonist” is someone “skilled in the art and techniques of harmony.” Look at the underwater ecosystem and you’ll see everything working together in harmony.
“No water, no life. No blue, no green.”
Sylvia Earle
This one needs little explanation – all life comes from the oceans and without it, life on Earth as we know it would cease to exist.
"Without water, our planet would be one of the billions of lifeless rocks floating endlessly in the vastness of the inky-black void."
Fabien Cousteau, Grandson of Jacques Cousteau
Maybe we really should consider renaming Earth Ocean after all?
“Limitless and immortal, the waters are the beginning and end of all things on earth.”
Heinrich Zimmer
Put simply, without the ocean, we wouldn’t exist. Don’t believe us? Then have a read of this How Stuff Works article explaining what would happen if the oceans disappeared (spoiler: it’s not pretty).
"Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone."
Unknown Author
As will our impact on the ocean – let’s make sure it’s a positive one. We can act now to protect our coral reefs and oceans for future generations.
“The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat.”
Jacques Cousteau
The ocean is, essentially, the Earth’s life support. As mentioned above, without the oceans, life on Earth wouldn’t exist. Over half the oxygen we breathe is created by the ocean. It regulates our climate and absorbs carbon dioxide. It provides us with food, livelihoods, recreational activities (such as diving!) and medicine as well as supporting economies around the world. With so much riding on the health of our oceans, it’s easy to see why protecting it is our only hope.
“We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.”
Jacques Cousteau
The health of our oceans and life on Earth are inextricably linked, which is why it’s so important we protect our underwater ecosystems.
“Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.”
Jacques Cousteau
There’s no denying our oceans are under threat. Plastics are choking marine life and oil spills poisoning waters around the world. The destruction humans are doing to the planet is shocking and sad – but, hopefully, seeing these tragic scenes are a wake up call to stir everyone into action and protect the oceans before it’s too late.
“Many of us ask what can I, as one person, do, but history shows us that everything good and bad starts because somebody does something or does not do something.”
Sylvia Earle
As individuals we might sometimes feel powerless but if everyone makes small, positive changes, the cumulative effect can be huge. So, we encourage you to take that first step on your sustainability journey today!
"I had fought on behalf of man against the sea, but I realized that it had become more urgent to fight on behalf of the sea against men."
Alain Bombard, Biologist
Pollution and plastic: man-made plagues on our oceans. Overfishing: as humans deplete fish stocks by taking more from the ocean than it can replenish. Habitats being destroyed by dynamite fishing, anchors, coastal development and industrial deep-sea trawling. Global warming and ocean acidification – caused by the carbon dioxide emissions we’re pumping into the atmosphere. The biggest threats to our oceans have all been created by humans. Now, it seems, it the time for us to reverse this trend and fight for the protection of the sea.
“We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it. Because they do.”
Sylvia Earle
If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably gathered that we’d be in real trouble without healthy oceans. So, it’s time to take stock and work out how we can protect this precious resource on which our lives depend.
“It is the worst of times but it is the best of times because we still have a chance.”
Sylvia Earle
With all the news of plastic pollution and marine debris, the outlook for the oceans might look grim, but have hope. The tide is turning and people around the world – like the team here at Reef-World, the members of the Green Fins initiative and all our partners – are fighting to protect our oceans. It’s not (yet) too late – together, we can protect and conserve coral reefs and the beautiful animals that call the ocean home.
“We know that when we protect our oceans we’re protecting our future."
Bill Clinton
Despite the hard work and challenges, this is what motivates us to continue our work to protect the ocean by making sustainable scuba diving the social norm. Consider making a donation today to help Reef-World conserve coral reefs for future generations.
The Reef-World Foundation is working tirelessly to protect and preserve our coral reefs and oceans for future generations. Please help us to continue our vital work by making a donation.
What are your favourite quotes about the ocean? Get in touch on social media to let us know!