Life as we know it would be irrevocably altered without our planet's water, which is why each year on this date we celebrate World Oceans Day.

Every drop of liquid on Earth has remained caught in the water cycle for billions of years. The water we drink today was once in ice caps, drank by dinosaurs, and watered long-extinct flora.

It is estimated that our oceans contain 96.5% of all water on the planet. Home to vivid marine life and offering livelihoods to coastal communities.

Which is why we need to protect their future. Plastic, warming temperatures, noise pollution, waste products, and drilling for fossil fuels are all major threats.

International cooperation for the betterment of our Blue Planet is the core aim of World Ocean Day which began in 2002.

Two decades later and the day is bigger than ever, now recognised by the United Nations over 1,000 events are taking place across the world to mark the occasion.

What can you do to do your part? The easiest way to help is to educate. Check out the World Oceans Day website to learn why the day is so important.

Otherwise, the best way to help our oceans is the same as every other form of environmental protection, reducing our impact on the world.

This may be by choosing to eat less fish, use less disposable plastics, conserving water use, or generally using less energy.