World Oceans Day was first enforced at the UN General Assembly on 5th of December in 2008, where June 8th was designated to be the day to be annually celebrated as “World Oceans Day”. The theme for 2016 is “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet”.
With Oceans covering about 70% of the earth’s surface, and holding 97% of the earth’s water, oceans make up around 99% of the living space on our planet by volume. However, 40% of our oceans are heavily impacted by human activity.
Our oceans are polluted, fisheries being depleted, and coastal habituated are being destroyed. The oceans regulate our climate and are home to an incredibly diverse wildlife. The oceans provide food for millions, if not billions of the world’s population.
Find more information on the background of World Oceans Day here.
Here are “10 Things You Can Do to Save the Ocean”:
- Reduce the effects of climate change on our oceans
- Make sustainable seafood choices
- Reduce your use of plastic products
- Take care of the beach
- Don’t purchase products that exploit marine life
- Sustainable seafood choices for your pet
- Support the work to protect our oceans
- Engage your community
- Travel responsibly
- Educate yourself
Read more on National Geographic.
Get active and help preserving our oceans; for inspiration on how to participate please visit http://www.worldoceansday.org/.