The Importance of the Waters Around Us

It is time we remembered why our earth is 70% water. 

Water is more than just H2O. It’s life in motion - flowing, shifting and connecting everything around us. It holds living organisms, carries our stories, and plays a powerful role in shaping both the world we live in and the future we’re heading towards. Water is a non-negotiable for both survival and balance. 

We often think of oceans as vast bodies that separate land. But that narrative needs to shift. Oceans are connectors - not just dividers.

 

They are the lifeblood of our planet and now, more than ever, they hold the key to restoring it.. The ocean is the Earth’s most important habitat. It helps regulate our climate, feeds billions of people, and absorbs the impact of human activity in ways we’re only just beginning to fully understand. Oceans produce over half of the oxygen we breathe and play a major role in keeping global temperatures stable. Without healthy oceans, there is no healthy planet. 

For decades, we’ve referred to the rainforests as “the lungs of the planet.” But we’re now realising that oceans are just as - if not more - critical to life on earth.

Right now, we’re facing unprecedented environmental challenges. The climate is changing fast, and the balance is tipping. But the oceans can help restore balance…if we allow it to. 

Beneath the surface is a complex, delicate ecosystem that has an incredible ability to regenerate when it’s protected and respected. Marine reserves and “no-take zones” have shown that damaged marine habitats can recover, when given the space and time and that beneath the threat lies a steady hope.

Our oceans absorb around a third of the carbon we produce and have taken in roughly 90% of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions over the past few decades. That’s a huge burden. And yet, only about 3% of the ocean is currently protected. 

If we want the oceans to keep supporting us, we must support them - starting with stronger protection and more sustainable practices. One of the most powerful things about marine protected areas is that their positive impact extends well beyond their borders. When biodiversity begins to recover within these reserves, fish populations grow, habitats heal, and ecosystems become more resilient. Over time, this renewed abundance starts to “spill over” into the surrounding waters, boosting fish stocks and supporting marine life outside the protected zone. In other words, the benefits of protecting even small areas of the ocean can ripple outward, creating wider reaching and long-lasting effects – both ecologically and economically. 

Earlier this year, a new executive order in the U.S. opened the door to commercial fishing in previously protected marine areas – places known for their rich biodiversity and ecological significance. This decision goes against a strong body of scientific research showing that marine sanctuaries are vital for restoring fish populations and maintaining long-term ocean health. While intended to support economic activity, the reality is that removing protections could undo years of careful recovery work. True sustainability requires patience, respect for natural systems, and decisions that are guided by science over short term gains. It’s a reminder of how fragile progress can be, and why continued protection and global advocacy for our oceans is so essential.  

At Ancient + Brave, sustainability is built into everything we do. From the very beginning, we’ve been committed to sourcing ingredients with care, and that includes our MSC-certified Wild Collagen. The Marine Stewardship Council sets high standards for sustainable fishing, helping ensure that fish stocks stay healthy, ecosystems stay intact, and marine life can continue to thrive.

This is not about being anti-fishing, this is about finding a way to do it responsibly, in harmony with the natural world. It’s about recognising that long term wellbeing, for both people and the planet, depends on balance, as with everything.

That’s also why we created our True Omegas+ using sustainably sourced, vegan oils that are good for you and gentler on the environment. Every product we make is part of a bigger picture. Because how we care for our bodies and how we care for the planet are deeply connected.

As part of the Ancient + Brave community, your choices really do make a difference. Every time you choose products that are sustainably and ethically made, you're supporting something much bigger – a way of living that values wellbeing, wisdom, and respect for nature. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond the products themselves. Through our partnership with 1% for the Planet, we donate 2% of every sale to verified environmental and social initiatives. Closer to home, we proudly support the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust (OART) - not just through donations, but by volunteering our time to help restore local waterways and protect the biodiversity that depends on them. Supporting our rivers is part of a bigger picture: clean, healthy water systems at every level are vital for both the planet and our collective wellbeing.

The hydrosphere (all the water on Earth) is part of our daily lives. By understanding and honouring this connection, we can help restore balance to the world around us. We are part of nature, not separate from it and we’re here to care for the planet just as she cares for us. That shift in thinking, from ownership to stewardship, is essential if we want to create a future that’s liveable, balanced, and thriving.