June 8th is designated as World Ocean’s Day, celebrating and informing the public on human impacts and the effect they have on our world’s oceans.
In 1992, Canada proposed to the Earth Summit in Rio the concept of a “World Ocean Day.” Ten years later, the Ocean Project collaborated with global partners to begin the coordination of World Ocean Day. By 2008, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized June 8th as World Ocean’s Day.
In 2016, a Conservation Action Focus was launched to prevent plastic pollution and advance solutions. Then in 2020, a new Conservation Action Focus launched, protecting 30% of our lands and oceans by the year 2030.
Each year World Ocean Day works together to protect and restore our shared ocean and climate. According to the World Ocean Day annual reports, in 2021, 1,103 organizations from over 84 countries have signed the global petition to protect at least 30% of our planet’s lands, waters, and oceans by 2030.
In addition to World Ocean being a global mark to save our oceans, locally, the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Allentown, PA, is hosting an event on their own from 10 am to 4 pm on June 8th, 2022. The zoo is planning on having education stations as well as various interactive stations to teach about our oceans and ways to protect them.
If you are interested in taking action to conserve and protect our climate and our Ocean, World Ocean Day’s website lists ways to take action.
- Sign the Petition to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030
- Plan your event
- List and share your event with the world
- Find an event you can participate in
- Download resources to aid your action
- Advocate for change and share on social media
- Donate to Support the World Ocean Day Mission
In the heat of gearing up for summer vacations, consider the impacts you may be having and take your part in protecting the ocean.
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