Perhaps nothing better displays our human-centeredness than the name we've given our planet: Earth. After all, the planet’s surface is 70% water. The sea generates more than half the world’s oxygen and harbors at least half all planetary life. As noted in a quote oft-attributed to Arthur C. Clarke, “Planet Ocean” is a more appropriate term.

Our bias toward the terrestrial comes into even sharper focus when we recognize that only 5.3% of our oceans are protected, as opposed to nearly 15% of our land.

We ignore the ocean’s health and overestimate its resilience at our own peril. As Dr. Sylvia Earle says succinctly in our enclosed interview: caring for our environment, “will keep us alive.” In other words, the stakes are high.

In partnership with Oceanic Global, a non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation and action, The GOOD10: The Oceans Issue highlights the esteemed marine biologist and 9 other ocean champions who are steadily shifting the tide toward progress. These remarkable individuals aren’t pointing their finger elsewhere—they are creating change themselves. May you find inspiration and hope from them, as well as the places and actions, featured within these pages.