Today is World Oceans Day; Happy World Oceans Day!
World Oceans Day is celebrated and observed on the 8th of June every year. It is an event that has almost been celebrated for three decades now.
World Oceans Day began in 1992.
World Oceans Day was created by the United Nations (UN) in 1992. Today, World Oceans Day is celebrated in most countries all around the world.
It is a day to raise awareness about the world's oceans, sustainability and what we can do to protect the world's oceans and the animals that live within them and depend on them. It is a day where we can raise awareness about the challenges that this ecosystem faces and, the challenges that marine animals face within in.
One of the biggest challenges that oceans face today is pollution.
Pollution is a huge problem today that affects oceans and marine animals. In the Pacific Ocean, the pollution is so great there that there is a 'garbage patch'. This is called the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch'. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an area that is full of pollution - it is 1.6 million square km in size.
Pollution that ends up in oceans not only harms the environment and marine ecosystems, it also harms marine animals. It is estimated that 100,000 marine mammals die of plastic pollution every year. Seabirds are even more affected, as it is estimated that 1 million seabirds die every year from plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution affects all marine animals. For example, Turtles are vulnerable to plastic pollution and being caught in discarded fishing nets.
Marine animals sadly often eat plastic pollution, as they have mistaken the plastic for food. By stopping plastic pollution, we can help stop animals from ingesting plastic and stop marine environments - such as oceans - from being polluted.
World Oceans Day is a great day to raise awareness about the impact that our lifestyles have on marine animals and marine environments. The more we use plastics, the more pollution is caused. But, if we lessen and stop our use of plastic, then we can help prevent animals from dying of plastic pollution and, we can also stop the pollution of our beautiful animals home.
How we live impacts the world around us.
By living sustainably and changing how our societies work, we can help to create positive changes for animals and our marine ecosystems.
Clean and healthy oceans are also essential for us too. We rely on oceans for things like our oxygen. It is estimated that half of the world's oxygen comes from our oceans, therefore, preserving ocean life and keep the oceans free from plastic helps us, as well as helping the animals who rely on oceans.
All life on earth is connected; therefore, how we treat our planet and other animals is important and impacts us too. Marine animals also deserve to live on this beautiful planet with us - it is their home too. We wouldn't litter our own homes with rubbish, so, why do we litter their homes with rubbish? We wouldn't live in, or like to live in a littered and polluted environment, so, why do we litter and pollute the habitats and ecosystems of other animals - including marine animals.
This World Oceans Day is a great day to reflect on how we live and how it impacts the world's marine animals and the oceans they live in.
It's also a great day to appreciate the beautiful and cute marine animals that we share this world with - from turtles to whales and dolphins, from magnificent awe-inspiring sharks - we have so many beautiful species that we share this planet with.
Happy World Oceans Day! 🌊🐢