Photosynthetic organisms in the sea yield most of the oxygen in the atmosphere, take up and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide, shape planetary chemistry, and hold the planet steady. Sylvia Earle amountatmospherecarbon Change image and share on social
We have taken the manatees out of the areas in the Caribbean and really elsewhere in the world, and this disruption to the system makes such systems vulnerable to changes as they come by, whether it's in terms of disease or terms or global warming for that matter. Sylvia Earle areacaribbeandisease share on social
Places change over time with or without oil spills, but humans are responsible for the Deepwater Horizon gusher - and humans, as well as the corals, fish and other creatures, are suffering the consequences. Sylvia Earle changeconsequencecoral share on social
Since the middle of the 20th century, more has been learnt about the ocean than during all preceding human history; at the same time, more has been lost. Sylvia Earle 20thcenturyhistory Change image and share on social
For heaven's sake, when you see the enemy attacking, you pick up the pitchfork, and you enlist everybody you see. You don't stand around arguing about who's responsible, or who's going to pay. Sylvia Earle argueattackenemy Change image and share on social
Every time I slip into the ocean, it's like going home. Sylvia Earle homeoceanslip Change image and share on social
When I arrived on the planet, there were only two billion. Wildlife was more abundant, we were less so; now the situation is reversed. Sylvia Earle abundantarrivebillion Change image and share on social
The sudden release of five million barrels of oil, enormous quantities of methane and two million gallons of toxic dispersants into an already greatly stressed Gulf of Mexico will permanently alter the nature of the area. Sylvia Earle alterareabarrel share on social
I've had the joy of spending thousands of hours under the sea. I wish I could take people along to see what I see, and to know what I know. Sylvia Earle havehourjoy Change image and share on social
Bottom trawling is a ghastly process that brings untold damage to sea beds that support ocean life. It's akin to using a bulldozer to catch a butterfly, destroying a whole ecosystem for the sake of a few pounds of protein. We wouldn't do this on land, so why do it in the oceans? Sylvia Earle akinbedbottom share on social
