The ocean covers 71 percent of Earth's surface and contains 97 percent of the planet's water. The ocean plays an integral role in many of the planet's systems including climate and weather. The ocean supports the life of nearly 50 percent of all species on Earth and helps sustain that life providing 20 percent of the animal protein and 5 percent of the total protein in the human diet. Considering these and many more incredible statistics about the ocean, it goes without saying that it is one of the most important entities on Earth to protect from environmental harm. (Source: NOAA / Photo: Flickr)