Why is World Oceans Day Important to You & Your Family?

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:

Getting Your Children Involved with Nature

Summer is the perfect time to get your children outdoors and involved with nature - luring them away from mobile devices, computers, and television screens. In an excellent online article for The Washington Post, 10 Ways to Get Your Kids Out in Nature, and Why It Matters, author Lauren Knight explains why your children’s physical and psychological well-being will benefit in a myriad of ways by exploring nature.

It all starts with the parents, Ms. Knight writes. If parents are enthusiastic and curious about nature, their children will be too. Ms. Knight recommends to just “sit and observe” at a specific area. Don’t have busy distractions. I typically encourage in my blogs for parents to ask questions and not simply give children answers. Help your children look at different aspects of nature, ask questions, and search for the answers themselves.

Try an outing at a planetarium and then lay out on the open grass and gaze at the stars at night. By first visiting the planetarium, you will get more information about the constellations and what to look for. When gazing up at the stars at night, your child will have a better understanding and truly get to enjoy and appreciate such spectacular beauties.

Planting a garden is another way to enjoy nature. From planting seeds to eating the crops, children can have a lot of fun. Have your children assist in purchasing all the items you will need for the garden as well as planting and watering. They will learn much more by doing than just watching.

There are many books that she recommends for children that involve nature. Visit the website link below and see the list of books. There are some for young children as well as older children.

Find out what outdoor activities are available in your community. Summer is an especially good time for children to be outside and enjoying themselves.

Please read the entire article by CLICKING HERE.