Green Heart At Work: June 2015

Monday, 8 June 2015

Importance of Oceans

The Oceans are the life blood of our Earth. Oceans cover over two-thirds of our blue planet. Oceans play a crucial role in our lives. Everybody depends on the oceans because it is one of the biggest resource for life on earth. Here is a look at the importance of oceans and why it is vital to protect and conserve such a valuable resource:

· Oceans play an important part in the health and survival of all life. The ocean plays a life-giving role for not only people but also for the environment as it supports a multitude of life forms

· The ocean connects people across the Earth, no matter where we live.

· The oceans are essential to food security as it daily feed people. They are a significant source of
nutrition.

· Oceans play a vital role in the climate system. It powers our climate as it regulate our climate.

· Oceans produce at least half of all our Earth’s oxygen supply

· It is the source of our freshwater

· It offers a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines

· Aesthetically it is home to a myriad of wildlife and provides us with spectacularly beautiful landscapes and provides immeasurable inspiration

· It provides an array of recreational enjoyment opportunities

· It also provides mineral and energy resources

· It shapes the Earth’s characteristics

We depend on the ocean for our wellbeing. Oceans are the heartbeat of the planet, without oceans, life would definitely cease to exist. A healthy ocean definitely means a healthy planet. It is therefore important to conserve the diversity of oceanic life. Sustaining the ocean is undeniably important and we must do our utmost best to conserve and protect this vitally precious natural resource.

Every time I slip into the ocean, it's like going home – Sylvia Earle.

Source:

http://www.un.org/en/events/oceansday/

Why do we celebrate and raise awareness on World Oceans Day?

It is imperative that we protect our oceanic habitat. Water is a limited resource on our earth. Our oceans are in peril. There are several reasons why we should full immerse ourselves in the aquatic life and to celebrate this important day, such as:

· To remind everyone of the major part the Ocean has in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe.

· To inform the public on the impact of the human actions on the Ocean and make them aware of the alarming declines of oceanic life.

· To mobilise and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the World Ocean. To celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the Ocean.

· To keep this beautiful ecosystem safe.

· It is a reminder that we must do better in protecting this irreplaceable resource.

· To deeply committed to ocean conservation.

· To learn more about plastic pollution in the ocean and how each person can do their bit to curb it.

So please celebrate and appreciate our blue planet!

Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/oceansday/

Celebrating World Oceans Day

Oceans are the heartbeat of the planet. Oceans generate most of the oxygen we breathe, it feed us, and regulate our climate.

We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it. Because they do - Sylvia Earle.

World Oceans Day is a very special day that is annually celebrated on the 8^th of June. It is a day on which all people, who care for the oceans and its vitally important species, appreciate and the ocean’s intrinsic value.

This day provides the perfect opportunity to learn a bit more about our oceans. It is a day of raising awareness amongst the global community about the importance of oceans and its inhabitants, the challenges that our marine life daily face, learn about why it imperative that it should be infinitely conserved and protected, and to evoke a sense of taking positive environmental action. It helps to think about what our impact is on the ocean and to inspire other people to think and act sustainably so that we can have healthy oceans and curb further detrimental destruction. It is of utmost importance that people know and understand what their relationship to the ocean is, and will be in the future to safeguard vulnerable oceanic communities and places.

Source: Ishareimage

If you think the ocean isn't important, imagine Earth without it. No ocean, no life support system - Sylvia Earle.

The theme for this year is Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet in an effort to stop plastic pollution. Oceans are under threat. Unsustainable human activities, global pollution, overconsumption of fish species, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, destructive fishing, unsustainable aquaculture practices, habitat destruction, alien species, ocean acidification have contributed to a shockingly dwindling of the population of many marine species and in the process has put a huge strain on the oceans. Also, climate change is currently posing a huge challenge for the health and productivity of the oceans.

It is of vital importance that sustainable practices are followed to meet our needs without compromising those of future generations. The future of our blue planet is in our hands. Show your support and strive to protect our oceans and deeply commit yourself to ocean conservation to protect it from further human destruction by being ocean advocates. Do everything in your power to save this vital ecosystem. Together it is possible to make a significant difference. Be a voice for our Oceans. Be an ocean steward. The oceans will truly thank you if you do!

Far and away, the greatest threat to the ocean, and thus to ourselves, is ignorance. But we can do something about that - Sylvia Earle.

Thursday, 4 June 2015

Celebrating World Environmental Day

Celebrating World Environmental Day 2015

Source: www.worldenvironmentalday.com

World Environmental Day is annually celebrated on the 5^th of June. This is an important environmental day to deepen global awareness of the need to care for, preserve, and enhance Mother Nature. This day is about raising awareness of environmental issues and to evoke positive environmental action amongst all people. It provides the perfect opportunity for all people to do something positive for the environment and to realise that each of us has a responsibility to protect to it from further destruction. It is important that people become environmental agents of change.

"Take care of the earth and she will take care of you."
- Author Unknown

This programme was started by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to bring about the biggest global call and mobilisation for action. Each year it is celebrated with a unique theme. The 2015 theme for World Environment Day is Sustainable consumption and production. The slogan for the theme is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care."

Source: UNEP

"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry."

- Thomas Fuller

It involves how the wellbeing of humanity, the environment, and economies ultimately depend on the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. Unfortunately, people are consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably provide. It is no surprise then that many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical levels of depletion and even irreversible change. This is mainly as a result of high population growth and economic development.

"There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed."

- Mohandas K. Gandhi

A shocking fact is that by 2050, with a rising population expected to reach 9.6 billion and if current consumption and production patterns remain the same, we will need three planets to sustain our way of life. To ensure a healthy future, it is imperative that all people live within planetary boundaries. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon states that “Every little step toward improving the environment can help. Although individual decisions may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose, we can make a tremendous difference”.

Human prosperity need not cost the earth. Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth (UNEP).

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

- Native American Proverb

So, please keep your world clean and green. Earth is the only liveable planet, help save it for future generations, and abide by environmental laws. The need for change is pressing. The time to act is now! Remember, Every Day should be World Environment Day.