Our Earth is the only known planet where water exists in three forms (liquid, gas, solid), and in particular as liquid oceanic water. Due to its high heat capacity, radiative properties (gaseous) and phase changes, the presence of water is largely responsible both for our planet’s mild climate and for the development of land life. The oceans represent 71% of the surface of the planet. They ar…
Planet Earth is an ocean planet. We can hardly ignore the fact that the ocean covers almost two thirds of our planet. Since the dawn of time, humankind has had an ambivalent relationship with the immensity and hostility of this very specific environment. However, the ocean holds a strong attraction for human societies, with nearly 40% of the world’s population living less than 100 km from the…