World Ocean Day
About World Ocean Day
When is World Ocean Day? This holiday is always celebrated on June 8
Oceans are immensely important and vital to humans. It feeds us, producing vast amounts of fish and seafood. We sail it, to bring people and cargo to and from places around the world. There’s recreational boating, too. We swim in it. Oceans are so important to us, that it is only fitting that a day… today… is World Ocean Day. On this global June 8 holiday, we celebrate our oceans and work towards maintaining and improving their health and cleanliness. As the health of our oceans goes, so goes the health of the entire planet.
Oceans comprise about 71% of the surface of the earth. With their immense size, you would think it is very hard to pollute our oceans. Well, we happen to be doing a pretty good job polluting them.
As if global warming (man-made) was damaging our oceans enough, we humans are exacting a terrible toll on the health of oceans, adding immeasurable amounts of pollutants each and every year.
Use this special day, to become more knowledgeable about how we are polluting the oceans with litter of all kinds, from just about any source you can imagine. Tsunamis devastate coastal areas and drag pollutants into the sea. A Tsunami in Japan resulted in tons of trash washing up on U.S. west coast beaches. Oil is leaked from oil rigs, ships, and boats. Plastics, which take many years to break down, of all kinds, find their way into our seas. Plastics, in particular, can have a devastating effect on marine life.
A clean and healthy ocean translates to healthy marine life. This results in safe and healthy seafood that you and I consume.
What can you do on World Ocean Day, to improve the health of our oceans?
Oceans Versus Seas
If you’re a little confused over what is an ocean versus what is a sea, your confusion is justified. People talk about the different large bodies of water differently.
There are five oceans in the world. They are:
- Atlantic
- Pacific – the largest
- Indian
- Antarctic
- Arctic
How many seas are there?
There are about 50 seas. The number depends upon who is counting and what they are using for a definition.
When we use the term “Seven Seas”, we are referring to:
- Arctic
- Antarctic
- North Pacific
- South Pacific
- North Atlantic
- South Atlantic
- Indian Ocean
Did You Know? When sailors refer to heavy seas, they are referring to rough water and large waves.
How to Celebrate and Participate in World Ocean Day
Here are some ways to celebrate and participate in World Ocean Day:
- Take a boat ride in the ocean.
- Go swimming or surfing.
- Go deep-sea fishing.
- Do your part to maintain and improve the health of our oceans, as well as the plant and animal life that live in them.
Today's Quote
“Always follow your heart….. but take your brains with you.” – – Louisiana Senator John Kennedy
History and Origin of World Ocean Day
World Ocean Day was first proposed by the Canadian government at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. In 2008, a United Nations resolution made this holiday official.
Since 2004, the organization “Ocean Project”, has strived to advance ocean conservation. On World Ocean Day, this organization works with schools, museums, aquariums, and other groups, to promote and coordinate educational programs about ocean health.
More June 8 Holiday
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