World Ocean Day is an international day that takes place annually on June 8. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit—UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Working with youth leaders and a variety of organizations, it helps promote collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate. World Ocean Day stands by the motto of “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future—together.”
What is World Ocean Day?
World Ocean Day serves as a catalyst for group efforts to maintain a stable climate and a healthy ocean. It works alongside a wide range of organizations and youth leaders throughout the year. Their main goal is to bring people together and mobilize them to safeguard and repair our blue planet, with the support of the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council.
Working with its global network of youth leaders and 2,000+ organizations in 150+ countries, World Ocean Day promotes collaborative conservation. It also offers free, customizable promotional and actionable tools. Since 2008, the United Nations has formally recognized June 8th as the World Ocean Day.
Why is World Ocean Day Celebrated?
In recent times it has been noticed in many cities that animal carcasses are thrown out from the sea and lying dead on the beaches across the globe. Is very sad that effluents from factories which are untreated are thrown into the sea creating Sewage Pollution which is a pernicious threat to our oceans. Over 80% of global sewage is dumped into the seas without adequate treatment. There are oil tankers which spill and create a disaster killing marine life. In the 2020s to date, there have been 27 spills of 7 tonnes and over, resulting in 28,000 tonnes of oil lost. Also with a manifold increase in marine traffic and reclamation of the sea the biodiversity and marine life is shrinking. Many of the coral reefs are under threat and will never be revived again. According to a study last year, about a third of all marine animals could vanish within 300 years.
World Ocean Day raises awareness of the ocean and supports the work of organizations across all sectors working to improve the future, much like a rising tide that lifts all boats. No matter where one resides, everyone can participate in World Ocean Day’s efforts to support solutions for a stable climate and a healthy ocean.
What Role Does The Youth Advisory Council Play?
Launched in 2016, the Youth Advisory Council helps develop World Ocean Day as a unique opportunity to connect and unite youth and others from all sectors for collective ocean and climate action throughout the year. Youths from all around the world come together and take part in saving the ocean. There are approximately 140 youths from 60 different countries that take part in this initiative..
The Theme of World Ocean Day in 2024
World Oceans Day theme 2024 is “Waves of Change: Collective Actions for the Ocean”. This theme emphasizes the importance of working together to solve ocean-related challenges. Youth, senior citizens, kids, communities, government officials, and organizations all play a role in bringing positive change in our oceans. Therefore, when we work together, we can create a wave of change for a healthier ocean.
This year’s action theme is a new multi-year action theme on Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate. It focuses on growing the movement through transformative collaboration, intending to create not only a healthy blue planet but also a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. The World Ocean Day network, collaborating with a wide range of partners such as Youth Ocean Carnival, Frost Science, Narine Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Didrikson, George Aquarium , Detroit Zoo are some of the collaborators that has collectively achieved some major victories over the years.
How Can We Celebrate This Day?
We too can celebrate World Ocean Day, from the comfort of our homes. Here are some of the ways we can do so: –
1. Reducing Water Footprint
Reducing water footprints helps save freshwater supplies that eventually reach the ocean. Some simple methods to make a difference include taking shorter showers, as according to the EPA, a 5-minute shower can use up to 35 gallons of water. Fixing leaky faucets, as even a small leak can waste gallons of water daily.
2. Avoid Seafood/Meat
According to the FAO, 89.5% of fish stocks worldwide are either fully fished (58.1%) or overfished (31.4%). Meat consumption is also considered a major contributor to climate change, so by avoiding seafood for one day you can contribute from your end.
3. Avoid Using Single Use-Plastics
According to statistics every year over 12 million tonnes of plastic find its way into the ocean, out of which almost 10 million tonnes is single-use plastic. By using reusable cloth bags or steel water bottles, we can also contribute to this initiative.
In conclusion, World Ocean Day serves as a vital reminder of the interconnectedness of humanity and the ocean, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to protect and restore our blue planet. By working together, we can create waves of change that not only ensure a healthier ocean but also pave the way for a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. Let’s join hands in celebrating this day and committing to preserving our ocean for generations to come.
