World Ocean’s Day celebrated every year on June 8th.
History
- It was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit that was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
- UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) sponsors the World Ocean Network, which has since 2002 been instrumental in building support for ocean awareness events on 8 June.
- And it was in in 2008 UN General Assembly passed a resolution to celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8th every year.
Why celebrate:
Oceans matter for survival of every living creature. Oceans’ temperature chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable. With climate change and continuous deterioration of ocean life, pollution, ocean acidification has adverse effect on the ecosystem and biodiversity. Hence to create awareness about the importance of the Oceans to living kind has become significant and hence World Oceans Day is celebrated.
2023 World Oceans Day Theme:
The theme for World Oceans Day 2023 is – “Planet Ocean: tides are changing”. The ocean covers over 70% of the planet and produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen.
Oceans are our life source of every other organism on earth. It is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Not to mention, the ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. Oceans needs support for revival.
We need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.
This year the UN is joining forces with decision-makers, indigenous leaders, scientists, private sector executives, civil society, celebrities, and youth activist to put the ocean first.
Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/oceans-day
