Oceans are an integral part of the
environment, but are under severe threat, mainly due to unsustainable human
activities and other natural factors.
World Oceans Day is annually celebrated on
the 8th of June and has become a growing global celebration, as an
increasing number of countries and organizations have marked 8 June as an
opportunity to celebrate our world oceans and their personal connection to them.
It mainly focuses on why oceans are important in our lives, and how we can
protect it. People from all over the
world partake in the celebrations. It provides an opportunity to help conserve
our world’s oceans. Specific focus is placed on honoring the ocean (our blue
planet), which connects all of us. It is done to ensure a better future of all.
It raises awareness to inspire to being more involved to conserve this amazing
resource we all depend on. This will ensure a healthier ocean and a better
future for all.
Each year there is a main conservation
focus. Based on the conservation theme of the year, they also develop an annual
World Oceans Day social media campaign their partners can tie in with to
enhance their efforts. The action focus for World Oceans Day 2018 is to Prevent plastic pollution so as to
encourage solutions for a healthy ocean. This also tied in with this year’s
World Environment Day’s theme of “Beat Plastic Pollution” to further place the
spotlight on preventing plastic pollution.
Brief
history
The Ocean Project has promoted and
coordinated World Oceans Day globally since its inception in 2002. They are
based in the US, but have various advisors and volunteers in various countries.
They are a collaborative organization and work in partnership with hundreds of
organizations, including World Ocean Network.
There’s no getting away from the fact that
a healthy world ocean is critical to all of our survival.
The ocean plays an integrally important
role as it: Generates most of the oxygen we breathe,
Helps feed us, Regulates our climate,
Cleans the water we drink, and Offers a pharmacopoeia of medicines. Not only
that, but it provides limitless inspiration.
Why
is World Oceans Day required?
It helps to:
·
Change
our perspective by encouraging individuals to think about what the ocean means
to them and what it has to offer all of us. Whether you live inland or on the
coast, we are all connected to the ocean. Take the time to think about how the
ocean affects you, and how you affect the ocean. This will help to conserve it
for present and the future generations.
·
We
learn by discovering the wealth of diverse and beautiful ocean creatures and
habitats, how our daily actions affect them, and how we are ALL interconnected.
·
It
changes our ways as we are all linked to, and through, the ocean. You are a
caretaker of oceans when you take care of your backyard and helping out in your
community. You can also make small modifications to your everyday habits to
make a difference. All of this will be beneficial to our blue planet.
The Ocean Project has recognized that
there’s one global ocean connecting all of us. There are five distinct oceans:
the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Southern
Ocean.
So,
how can I get involved?
The official World Oceans Day’s website (www.worldoceansday.org/) has a myriad of
ways you as an individual, group, or community can get involved. Simply click
on the link below to download and read free resources which you can use then.
Ask your family, friends, and community to join you. The more people involved,
the better the outcome of this environmental day. By working enthusiastically
together, it’s possible to strive towards protecting our oceans.
You can, furthermore, plan your event,
play host, and register your event on their website. You can also find others
on the global community map, get celebration ideas, access media and outreach
resources, and more!
It is important to help spread the day’s
positive impact.
It is not just individuals that will make
a difference; it is up to ALL of us to ensure that our oceans are healthy, not
only for current generations, but also, importantly, future generations.
I hope you will get involved and participated
in a World Oceans Day event near you!
I’ll leave you with this: The ocean,
undoubtedly, deserves its own day. Make every day an Oceans Day.
Reference
