This June 8, 2016 celebrates World Oceans Day. Held on the same date every year, this day is organized by the United Nations system around the world to celebrate the ocean and actions to protect it. This year, the theme of the day is "Healthy Ocean, Healthy Planet" and highlights the prevention of plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution is a real threat to the oceans since it is a material that degrades very slowly and pollutes waterways for a long time. It is also harmful to marine animals, especially zooplankton that feed on it.
The oceans are the heart of our planet just like the human heart that allows us to live. The latter connects millions of people on earth, regulates the climate, feeds millions of people every year, produces oxygen, shelters an incredible array of flora and fauna, provides medicinesâeuros¦ It is therefore important to take care of it for our future and future generations.
Human pressures such as overexploitation, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, unsustainable aquaculture practices, marine pollution, habitat destruction, alien species, climate change and ocean acidification are having major negative effects on our oceans and seas.
Why celebrate World Oceans Day?
This day is important because it symbolizes how the ocean takes care of human beings. They are important in our daily lives and provide us with most of the oxygen we need to breathe.
It is therefore important to inform the public about the impact of human actions on the ocean and to develop a global movement in favor of the oceans, mobilizing and uniting the people of the world on a project of sustainable management of our planet's oceans.
Origin of World Oceans Day
The United Nations celebrates World Ocean Day on June 8 each year. Many countries began celebrating this day as early as 1992, following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that June 8 should be observed by the United Nations as "World Ocean Day" starting in 2009.
This day raises awareness of the benefits of the ocean to humanity and the challenges we currently face in maintaining a healthy and productive ocean.
How to celebrate World Oceans Day?
Every June 8, many activities are organized around the world: museums, aquariums, oceanographic centers, conferences, roundtablesâeuros¦ Thus, millions of people can attend during one day various events from beach cleanups in Lima, Peru, to awareness seminars on the interaction between sharks and divers in Terengganu, Malaysia.
