World Ocean Day

Every year on June 8, people around the world observe World Ocean Day. The International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) of Canada originally proposed the idea in 1992 during the Earth Summit - UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. But sixteen years later, in 2008, the UN proclaimed the day to be "World Ocean Day." The worldwide day supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations while raising public awareness of the need to protect the ocean and manage its resources sustainably.   

History of World Ocean Day

The Brundtland Report from 1987 was the first to note that ocean concerns needed to be prioritised because, in contrast to other fields, there was a dearth of awareness and voice in this one. Thus, it was suggested that there be a designated day to honour the ocean in 1992 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The objectives were to raise the profile of ocean and coastal stakeholders globally and move the ocean from the periphery to the forefront of intergovernmental and non-governmental policy discussions.

To increase public awareness of the ocean and to give people opportunities to get engaged and improve our blue planet, the website www.WorldOceanDay.org was established. To increase public awareness of the ocean and to give people opportunities to get engaged and improve our blue planet, the website www.WorldOceanDay.org was established. The website gives event planners chances to give back to their local communities and promotes worldwide involvement by sharing useful and practical knowledge, concepts, and resources that are always free for anybody to use to celebrate World Ocean Day however they see fit.

Key Objectives 

Some of the key objectives are mentioned below: 

  1. Celebrating diversity. 
  2. Inspiring action. 
  3. Promoting conservation. 
  4. Raising awareness. 

Theme of World Ocean Day 

World Ocean Day has a distinct theme every year to draw attention to a different facet of ocean conservation. In the past, themes have included climate change, marine biodiversity, sustainable fishing, and plastic pollution. 

Why is World Ocean Day Celebrated? 

The various reasons why world ocean day celebrated are mentioned below - 

  1. Environmental awareness - The purpose of World Ocean Day is to raise public awareness of the vital role that oceans play in supporting life as we know it. It emphasizes the need to maintain a healthy ocean for the welfare of all living things by highlighting the connections between the ocean and climate, weather patterns, oxygen generation, and biodiversity. 
  2. Conservation - The promotion of ocean conservation is the main objective of World Ocean Day. Many factors, including pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, climate change, and plastic waste, pose risks to the ocean. World Ocean Day seeks to spur action to solve these issues and save the delicate marine ecosystems by increasing public awareness. 
  3. Sustainable development - For human societies, the ocean is an essential resource since it offers chances for enjoyment, transportation, food, and livelihoods. Using ocean resources to fulfil present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is the notion of sustainable development, which is promoted by World Ocean Day.
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