Wheewhoo - Today is World Ocean Day!
It is celebrated every June 8th around the world to recognize the value of the ocean in sustaining life on Earth, the beauty and enjoyment we get from the salty-blue, magnificent sea, and the need to protect it.
On December 5th, 2008, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution officially recognizing June 8th as World Ocean Day, and it has been celebrated annually since.
The goal of World Ocean Day is to discover how magnificent the Earth is and generate a new wave of excitement toward protecting the ocean and the entirety of our blue planet.
Did you know that the ocean covers 70% of the planet; it is our life source supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every organism on Earth? That the ocean is the source of the world’s rain and thus all the fresh water. And that it produces at least 50% of Earth’s oxygen.
Here’s more ocean information; The ocean is home to most of Earth’s biodiversity. The ocean controls world temperatures and weather by absorbing over half the heat reaching the Earth from the sun. The ocean is a vital component in the world economy with shipping routes and provides millions of jobs, worldwide.
The ocean is the main source of protein for more than 1 billion people. Over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal diversity for their livelihoods. The ocean absorbs about 30% carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of climate change.
The ocean is loved by people worldwide for the natural beauty and recreational opportunities it provides. But the fact is, the world’s ocean is being polluted and over exploited, with1000’s of corals, marine habitats, and species are endangered. With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished.
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.
Ways to Celebrate World Ocean Day AND Every day;
1. Participate in a beach cleanup: Help clean up the beach by joining a local beach cleanup to remove litter and debris from the shoreline.
2. Skip the Seafood: Help reduce the demand for seafood by skipping it for one day – this will help reduce overfishing and protect marine life.
3. Watch an ocean film: Gather friends and family and watch an ocean film together to raise awareness about the importance of the ocean and its inhabitants.
4. Avoid Single Use plastics, such as straws, bags, utensils, shavers, and bottles. This will help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.
5. Breathe Deep, Appreciate the Ocean: Take a moment to appreciate the ocean by taking a deep breath and reflecting on its beauty and importance.
Please do something to protect the ocean and make it part of your lifestyle.
Mahalo nui loa,
Heidi
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