The ocean is the lifeblood of the planet. In addition to regulating planetary cycles of carbon, water and heat, the ocean and its vast resources support human livelihoods, cultural practices, jobs and industries. The impacts of climate change on the ocean can influence human activities and employment by altering resource availability, spreading pathogens, flooding shorelines and degrading ocean ecosystems. Fishing and mariculture are highly exposed to change. The global ocean and inland waters together provide more than 3.3 billion people at least 20% of the protein they eat and provide livelihoods for 60 million people. Changes in the nutritional quality or abundance of food from the oceans could influence billions of people.
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report