Thanks Obama! (No really, I mean it, thank you!!) #Papahanaumokuakea

^{Photo courtesy of Honolulu Civil Beat}

Regardless of personal politics, I think most people can agree that keeping the oceans clean and habitable is not only important to everything that lives IN the ocean, but also to everything that lives OFF the ocean, including human beings. Today, President Obama is expanding the protected marine area northwest of the Hawaiian archipelago that President George W. Bush set up by decree in 2006. I cannot imagine two presidents with more different philosophies and legacies, and yet they both see the importance of doing what is within their power to protect marine life.

Ocean ecosystems are already under duress from pollution and acidification. And in case you didn't know, we've already accidentally created a festering garbage patch swirling in the middle of the Pacific ocean:

The least humanity can do is create a safe haven to give aquatic life and migratory sea-birds a fighting chance. Thanks Obama!