In December 2008, the United Nations designated June 8 as World Oceans Day “to remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life”. I live on St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands located in the beautiful Caribbean Sea, with the Atlantic Ocean to the north of us. I have come to love and respect the importance of our oceans and hope that you and your children will too.
The UN’s goal to encourage people and governments all over the world to protect and preserve this major resource is set forth on its website:
The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation.
Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future. However, at the current time, there is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters owing to pollution and ocean acidification, which has an adversarial effect on the functioning of ecosystems and biodiversity. This is also negatively impacting small scale fisheries.
The theme for this year is “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean”. Much information is provided on its website, including a virtual celebration event and other events that are scheduled all week long, and links are provided below. Some interesting facts included in a “Did You Know” section are:
Oceans serve as the world’s largest source of protein, with more than 3 billion people depending on the oceans as their primary source of protein.
Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our oceans individually and as a family. Please don’t miss this opportunity.
To learn more, please visit: