World Ocean Day
What is World Ocean Day?
With roots beginning at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, the idea of a “World Ocean Day” was originally proposed by Canada in 1992. Ten years later, the Ocean Project began collaborating with a number of partners around the world to further promote the idea. Finally, in 2008, following a number of petitions, the United Nations officially recognized World Ocean Day. Since then, World Ocean Day has maintained its mission of fostering public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources.
Why Is World Ocean Day Important?
World Ocean Day is based on collaborative conservation. They are part of a global network of youth and organizational leaders that provide free promotional materials and action-based resources.
Additionally, the world’s oceans are an integral part of food security across the globe, and they benefit the health and survival of all life on our planet. They are also the foundation of the Earth’s climate and are crucial to the well-being of the planet’s biodiversity. This is why it is imperative that we each do what we can to help protect our world’s oceans.
World Ocean Day aims to bring awareness to a global audience of the challenges international communities face regarding ocean resources.
The 30×30 Initiative
Furthermore, in order to create a healthy ocean that is rich with wildlife and can maintain a stable climate, it’s essential that 30% of the Earth’s lands, waters, and ocean are protected.
This is why World Ocean Day supports the 30×30 initiative, which can help increase the number of Earth’s protected life support systems. Right now, less than 17% of land and less than 8% of the world’s oceans are protected.
However, thanks to the effort of the World Ocean Day network, along with the growing 30×30 movement, more than 90 countries have pledged to protect at least 30% of their land and ocean by 2030.
With your help reducing single-use plastic, we can all continue to advance the global movement to protect 30% of the Earth by 2030.
The Youth Advisory Council
In 2016, the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council began. The goal of the Council is to help develop World Ocean Day into a catalyst for youth to connect and create a future with healthier oceans and a better climate that can sustain us all.
The World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council aims to establish World Ocean Day as a way to heighten the profile of our shared oceans, and participate in creating a healthier ocean and climate, not only in June, but throughout the entire year.
How To Get Involved
There are a number of ways you can take action to participate in World Ocean Day and support the planet’s oceans. You can use this petition to address your nation's leaders, and urge them to commit to the 30×30 movement if they haven’t already.
You can also help preserve our oceans by reducing your use of disposable plastic. Data from the UNEP shows that 89% of macro plastics found in the oceans was single-use plastic. To help curb your contribution to the inundation of plastic in our oceans, check out our sustainable, reusable drinkware, such as The Boulder 20oz, or the The Summit 24oz.
You can also make a difference by offering your financial support to World Ocean Day and their collaborators. You may help organizations and individuals protect and restore our oceans by donating to the fiscal sponsor for World Ocean Day.
However you choose to celebrate World Ocean Day, be sure to make it worthwhile. Do your part to be a good steward of the planet and protect our oceans for the next generation. Happy World Ocean Day!
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