In this video message, NOS Assistant Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf discusses National Ocean Month, an opportunity to celebrate our amazing ocean. One of the ways NOS celebrates is with a month-long social media campaign — which is now in its tenth year! (Video Transcript)
Hello everyone! I’m Nicole LeBoeuf, Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service or NOS for short. I’m so excited to tell you about a very special observance. Every June, our country observes National Ocean Month. Here at NOS, we celebrate throughout the month on our website and social media channels by sharing videos, facts, trivia, and more!
Our virtual celebration highlights the critical role our ocean plays, the relationship we share with it, and the steps we can take to protect and conserve it. Whether you live along a coast, on a farm, in a city, or on top of a mountain, this amazing body of water is a part of your life. Although there are five named oceans divided by region, there is only one global ocean, and we are all connected to it.
The ocean is a life force for our planet. It produces over half of the world’s oxygen and stores 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. It covers over 70 percent of the Earth and contains over 96 percent of our planet’s water. The ocean regulates our climate and weather patterns by transporting heat from the equator to the poles. The ocean protects our coastlines with coral reefs and coastal ecosystems like mangroves and marshes. The ocean provides ingredients for many things that we use every day -- including food and items at your local grocery store.
The ocean is a force that powers our country's economic engine. Coastal and marine waters support millions of jobs. A steadily growing U.S. Blue Economy produces billions of dollars a year in goods and services. Millions of people spend time at our shores and coastal areas for vacations and recreational opportunities including boating, kayaking, and whale watching.
From providing us with the food we eat, to shaping our daily weather, to supporting our economy — the ocean is pretty awesome! And here at NOS, we celebrate the ocean all year long through the important work that we do every day. Our mission supports the activities I just mentioned, as well as conservation and preservation of our ocean, coastal areas and marine places, and the communities that depend on them. Celebrate with us this month and learn more about the ocean and what you can do to help!
Follow us and look for the hashtag #OceanMonthNOAA. It’s up to all of us to protect and care for the health of our ocean, marine environments, and coastlines. Thank you.