World Oceans Day is a time to honor the ocean and remember all the reasons we need to protect it. As divers, we could write an endless love letter to the sea.

Recent events spurring lockdowns around the world have made us appreciate the ocean more than ever before. Not only is it crucial to the health of the planet, but it serves as a place we can escape to when the world gets chaotic.

On World Oceans Day, let's remind ourselves why we love the big blue—and why we need to protect it.

1. It is full of great adventures.

Kayaking with the orca whales of Johnstone Strait, diving with tiger sharks in The Bahamas, exploring tectonic plates around Iceland—the ocean provides endless opportunities for adventure. Covering 71 percent of the Earth, from the icy sea of Antarctica to the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, the ocean offers experiences you never dreamed were possible. You could spend your entire life exploring the ocean and would never scratch the surface, but it doesn’t hurt to try!

2. It serves as a place to escape.

While some divers chase adventure, others prefer to soak in the silence beneath the waves. When life up above gets chaotic, there is nothing more peaceful or meditative than listening to the sound of bubbles while you float weightlessly in the blue. When you return to the terrestrial world, you’ll feel more relaxed, present and ready to take on any challenge.

3. It’s full of fascinating wildlife.

The ocean is home to over 2 million species, from playful dolphins to alien-like creatures lurking thousands of feet below. If you’ve ever seen a weedy sea dragon waltzing through kelp or a flamboyant cuttlefish hypnotizing its prey with a show of colors, then you understand why the ocean is the most magnificent place on this planet.

4. It’s the best place to exercise.

No need to spend money on a monthly gym membership! The ocean is the base for a plethora of water sports like surfing, kiteboarding and wakeboarding. Staying healthy is easy when you have the ocean and sunshine as your workout buddies. Even scuba diving can burn up to 600 calories per hour, which is equivalent to jogging but infinitely more fun.

5. It’s a vital natural resource.

We can’t live without the ocean—literally. More than half of the Earth’s oxygen comes from the ocean. Tiny, microscopic phytoplankton provide more oxygen than the entire Amazon rainforest. And, in addition to giving us the oxygen we breathe, the ocean is an important source of food for people all around the world. As long as seafood is sourced responsibly and sustainably, the ocean can provide food for generations to come.