Each year on June 8th, we observe World Oceans Day to draw attention to how important our planet’s seas and oceans are to life and livelihoods. The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth.
The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, 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.
Even though all its benefits, the ocean is now in need of support. Here are some things to remember and activities:
“Fish are Friends, Not Food”
Who doesn’t love battered or crumbed fish, juicy mussels, moreish shrimp, and the versatility of tuna? Did you know that the oceans are the main source of protein for a billion people around the world? That puts enormous pressure on fish stocks, the majority of which are overfished and in their populations in decline.
Discover which fish are the most eco-friendly to buy and consume. Eco-friendly best choices | Seafood Selector (edf.org)
Say No to Plastic
Plastics are one of the biggest threats to ocean health and one of the easiest things to change from a lifestyle perspective. Each year, trillions of pieces of plastic enter the world’s river systems and water ways and end up in the oceans. They slowly gather into gyres, some of which are bigger than the state of Texas.
Plastics in the oceans aren’t just a hazard to its inhabitants that eat it or get tangled up in it, but they break down into micro-plastics which then enter the food chain and we humans end up eating! Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that can be eaten by marine animals and end up in their bodies and tissues, entering the food chain and leading to disastrous consequences for the health of our planet and all its inhabitants.
There are many ways to keep plastic out of the ocean! Here are two strategies:
Reduce plastic use. Think about all the plastic items you use every day. Can you count them all? Look around you. How many plastic things can you see? Being more aware of how and why you use the plastics that you do is the first step to reducing plastic use. Commit to changing your habits by reducing your use of disposable and single-use plastic items, reusing items and/or recycling them.
Participate in a cleanup. Volunteer to pick up marine litter in your local community.
Ocean Explorers It’s much easier to protect something when you’ve got a connection to it. Google has an amazing feature called Google Ocean in which you can explore the vast waters much like street view has changed the way we explore areas of land. Discover images, locations, and other media with this stunning collection.Google Earth
Dive into an Ocean-themed Reading Adventure
For landlubbers who can’t venture out to sea, dive into an ocean-themed book for a reading adventure worthy of the high seas. Get started with one of these nautical tales.
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister Swimmy by Leo Lionni Flotsam by David Wiesner Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Moby Dick by Herman Melville Billy Budd by Herman Melville The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne The Odyssey by Homer
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
A Good Day for the Beach
Head to the beach! What better way to celebrate World Oceans Day than by digging in the sand, discovering tide pools, and surfing the waves? It’s a perfect opportunity for students to explore the environment while also teaching them the importance of not interfering with the local ecosystem by removing shells, catching small creatures, or turning over rocks.
Learn more at: World Oceans Day - Wikipedia and World Oceans Day | United Nations