Today, June 8, is World Oceans Day.
This International recognition is about raising awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans and understanding their crucial role in our lives.
The concept of World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
By 2002, The Ocean Project began coordinating many events to celebrate World Oceans Day, from educational campaigns to mobilizing various organizations to promote the day’s significance.
World Oceans Day was officially recognized in 2008 by the United Nations.
Around the world, the “holiday” is marked by a wide range of activities, from beach clean-ups and educational workshops to art contests, all aimed at promoting the movement of marine preservation.
The oceans are without a doubt one of the most important treasures that our planet has and it’s essential we do everything we can to protect them.
oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and produce around 50% of the planet’s oxygen.
The world’s oceans play a crucial role in regulating the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and are home to a vast array of life, from microscopic plankton to the massive blue whale.
With this in mind, it’s crucial that we do everything we can to protect the ocean.
Our oceans face numerous threats.
Plastic pollution is a significant issue, with an estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic currently floating in the ocean. This pollution harms marine life, with animals ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic debris.
Climate change is another major threat to the oceans, causing rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, which damage coral reefs and disrupt marine ecosystems.
Overfishing depletes fish populations and has put some marine life in danger of extinction.
Other destructive practices such as deep-sea mining and seismic blasting, which have been addressed in other articles, also put our oceans in great danger since these practices cause extreme damage to the marine environment.
All of these activities not only disrupt ecosystems but also create a risk to the marine biodiversity of our waters and put the health of our oceans at risk.
Even though there aren’t any oceans near Chico, there are still ways to help.
Just the simple act of sharing information about ocean conservation on social media to raise awareness is already a step in the right direction.
Another key thing to do is to educate yourself and invite others to do the same. Understanding the importance of marine preservation is key when addressing the things that are putting our oceans at risk.
Furthermore, supporting policies that protect our oceans is a crucial aspect of fighting against those who want to destroy them.
On a personal level, we can all reduce our plastic use by opting for reusable bags, bottles, and straws.
Another way we can help our oceans daily is by supporting sustainable seafood practices. This can be done by looking for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label, which indicates responsible fishing practices.
World Oceans Day is a reminder of the importance of our oceans and the need to protect them.
By taking action and spreading awareness, we can all contribute to the health and preservation of our blue planet.
Let’s celebrate World Oceans Day by getting informed and informing others because committing to protecting our oceans is the only way we can hope to ensure the continuation of life on our wonderful planet.
