World Oceans Day – June 8th

Is today World Oceans Day? Well, yes it is! World Oceans day 2023 is an annual celebration that takes place every June 8th since 1992. The holiday was started as a proposal from Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit organized by the United Nations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. Today, the holiday is observed by all UN member countries.

What Are Oceans?

An ocean is a big body of water that is one of the major parts of the hydrosphere on the planet. There 5 oceans on Earth: The Pacific Ocean (the biggest), The Atlantic Ocean, The Indian Ocean, The Antarctic (Southern Ocean), and The Arctic Ocean. The oceans are composed of saline water and are home to millions of creatures.

What Lives in the Ocean?

Life thrives in all parts and all depths of the Ocean. There are animals and plants of all shapes and colors, sizes. The ocean is a place where we discover new species of animals and plants every day. Different kinds of fish, marine mammals, all kinds of cute reptiles, sharks, rays, plants, algae, planktons, corals and many more. All life started from these deep blue waters. And it’s magnificent.

Today we are facing devastating facts about life in the deep blue water dying because of pollution. Pollution brought by the only animal species intelligent enough to protect them and their habitats. The greed of men had taken its toll. Many marine mammals are already on the endangered species list.

It’s devastating to know that the Blue Whale, such a magnificent creature, is facing extinction because of us.

Biodiversity is vital for the existence of the planet and for survival. Every day we are losing endangered animals in the oceans because of pollution. Dumping oil, dumping trash and undegradable substances in the ocean happen every day. Every day we are facing with dead seals on the shores, dead fish, starved penguins, and polar bears that have no place to live anymore.

This is a List of the Most Endangered Animals Living on the Planet That Resides in the Ocean

• Hawksbill Turtle
• Vaquita
• Blue Whale
• Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle
• Steller Sea Lion
• Hammerhead Shark
• Fin whale
• Hector’s Dolphin
• Hawaiian Monk Seal
• Green sea turtle

The Theme of World Oceans Day 2022

This year’s focus on World Oceans Day is Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean. Each human on the planet should strive to protect 30% of our blue planet, namely the oceans of the world for a healthy ocean and climate for future generations.

With the help of everyone human and an association of countless worldwide organizations, we will be able to support and expand this global movement to protect 30% of our oceans come the year 2030 (“30×30”).

It is essential to maintain a healthy ocean as this forms a critical part of the available solutions to the current climate crisis. By supporting the 30×30 movement, we can protect our planet’s life support systems – specifically the underlaying issues of sea, temperature, and biodiversity.  

Decisions about the way forward in maintaining our oceans are being discussed this year by world leaders, and they need your input as well! The actions that our leaders took in 2020 will determine the health of our oceans and the security of future generations for many more years to come.

Some World Oceans Day Quotes

Here are some inspiring World Oceans Day quotes:

1. “The oceans deserve our respect and care, but you have to know something before you can care about it.” – Sylvia Earle
2. “We know that when we protect our oceans we’re protecting our future.” – Bill Clinton
3. “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau
4. “The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey.” – Enya
5. “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.” – Wyland
6. “The ocean is a mighty harmonist.” – William Wordsworth
7. “The oceans connect us all. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe.” – Philippe Cousteau Jr.
8. “The sea is as near as we come to another world.” – Anne Stevenson
9. “No water, no life. No blue, no green.” – Sylvia Earle
10. “We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” – John F. Kennedy

World Ocean Day Facts

Here are some facts on World Oceans Day:

1. The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains 97% of the Earth’s water.
2. The ocean is home to a vast variety of marine life, including more than 230,000 known species.
3. The ocean is also a major source of food, with more than 3 billion people depending on seafood as their primary source of protein.
4. The ocean plays a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate, absorbing about 25% of the carbon dioxide emissions from human activities.
5. Human activities such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change are putting the health of our oceans at risk, threatening the survival of many marine species.
6. World Oceans Day aims to raise awareness about these issues and encourage individuals and organizations to take action to protect our oceans.
7. World Oceans Day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008, and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world.
8. On World Oceans Day, people participate in a variety of events and activities such as beach cleanups, educational programs, and community festivals to celebrate and protect our oceans.

How Much of the World’s Oceans Have Been Explored?

It’s difficult to determine exactly how much of the world’s oceans have been explored, as much of the ocean remains unexplored and unmapped. However, it’s estimated that less than 5% of the world’s oceans have been explored and mapped in detail.

This is largely due to the vast size of the oceans, which cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, and the challenges involved in exploring the deep and often hostile ocean environment.

Despite the limited exploration, many important discoveries have been made in the world’s oceans, including the discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, new marine species, and the mapping of underwater mountain ranges and canyons.

Exploration of the ocean is ongoing, with new technologies and techniques being developed to better understand the ocean and its complex ecosystems. Understanding the ocean is critical for conservation and management efforts, as well as for developing new technologies and resources that can benefit humanity.

How Can You Celebrate World Oceans Day?

The change you want to see in the world starts with you. This year, in honor of the all the oceans in the world, you can start with recycling, or if you already recycle, upgrade to using only the absolute necessary plastic items that are made of reusable plastic. Start today by completely avoiding plastic bags from supermarkets and use only cotton shopping bags. Completely avoid buying plastic straws.

Spread the word among your friends and family, and on your social media. Use the hashtags #WorldOCeansDay , #SaveOurOceans and #ILoveVeterinary.

Happy World Oceans Day

If you enjoyed this article, why not indulge in one of our other observances that takes place in June, such as National Pollinator Week? And lastly, remember to share your World Oceans Day Images with us on our I Love Veterinary Instagram Page.