World Oceans Day is an annual affair, observed on June 8, intending to create awareness about the importance of preserving and conserving oceanic resources.
The ethos of World Ocean Day is in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that demand responsible use of global resources. The theme for 2024 World Ocean Day is “Awaken New Depth”.
The oceans are the biggest natural resource in the world as they cover over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. Oceans are also responsible for producing at least 50 per cent of the oxygen in our atmosphere.
Millions of people depend on oceans for their sustenance and livelihood. Over the years, we have overused marine resources. As a result, we now have plastic-filled oceans and depleting marine biodiversity.
About 90 per cent of big fish populations are depleted and about half of the coral reefs are destroyed. These concerning numbers call for increased awareness and action towards marine protection.
We currently face one of the greatest threats ever to our blue planet and all its inhabitants: the climate crisis.
It is all too clear that we need a healthy ocean for a healthy climate, and vice versa, and we need significantly stronger local, national, and international action from both government and corporate leaders.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the ocean sustains life on Earth and the problems are essentially man-made.
“Climate change is triggering rising seas and threatening the very existence of small island developing states and coastal populations”, he said.
The President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, voiced similar concerns about the current state of the ocean.
“There is so much still to learn about oceans – and, importantly, to reverse the damage being caused to our precious lifeline resource.”
Mr. Francis said that the ocean is our strongest ally against climate change and therefore “it is our joint responsibility to course correct – and recommit to sustainably manage the ocean’s precious resources – so as to ensure their availability intergenerationally.”
History of World Oceans Day
In 1992, World Oceans Day was proposed at the Earth Summit that took place in Rio De Janeiro. On December 5, 2008, The UN General Assembly designated June 8 to be observed as World Oceans Day every year.
The day was established with the intention of creating awareness about the connection of human beings with the oceans. Every year, The UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea organises events to create public awareness.
Some Facts
The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen. The ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030. Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.
