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Our Ocean is our future
This year June 8th marks World Oceans Day, a global rallying point where citizens across the globe unite for our Oceans. Our oceans are the lungs of our planet, proving most of the oxygen we breathe. The health of our oceans is intimately linked to our health. Some organisms that lurk in the depths of the ocean have even been used to speed up the detection of COVID-19 (UNESCO, 2020).
We celebrate World oceans day each year as a reminder to everyone of the major role the ocean plays in our daily lives. This year’s central theme is “Innovations for a sustainable ocean”, with innovation relating to the introduction of new methods, ideas, or products. The purpose of the day is to inform the public of the impacts our actions have on the planet, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans (United Nations, 2020).
So how can you be a part of World Oceans Day?
This year during the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations across the world have been shifted to virtual platforms, making for easy access to thousands of online events globally.
The United Nations
The event we are most excited about is one hosted by the United Nations in partnership with Oceanic Global. The event will shed light on innovations around the globe and will take place throughout World Oceans Week (Week of June 8th). It will include speeches, panels, and presentations from the world's leading ocean voices including:
· An overview of the state of our Oceans by Sylvia Earle
· A multi-generational perspective on our evolving understanding of our ocean cross-time by the Cousteaus
· Discussion on deep-sea exploration by OceanX
· Remarks from Cara Delevingne and Ellie Goulding
· A concert for our oceans with live performances by global music artists.
PADI
PADI is seeking to restore the balance between humanity and the ocean by encouraging people to become a PADI Torchbearer and to inspire others to bring about meaningful change by turning passion into a purpose for the ocean.
They will be hosting live events on both Instagram and Facebook with their speakers Tara Jain talking about Conservation Practices, Weldon Wade on the invasive Lion fish in the Caribbean and Jack Fishman on Project AWARE.
World Oceans Day
WorldOceansDay.org is growing the global movement to call on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030 (called 30x30). By safeguarding at least 30% of our ocean through a network of highly protected areas we can help ensure a healthy home for all. They are partnering with other ocean voices to encourage people to sign the 30x30 petition.
Cape RADD
Join Cape RADD in their “BLUE MONDAY” challenge. Simply dress in blue on World Oceans day and post a photo of yourself on social media tagging @caperadd and using the hashtags:
And then sign the 30x30 petition and encourage a friend to do the same. The idea is to spread awareness and get more people to sign the World Oceans Day petition.
International Fund for Animal Welfare
The international fund for animal welfare (ifaw) released their documentary, sonic sea, which is available for a limited time before June 8th to stream for free online.
Sonic Sea is a 60-minute documentary about the devastating impact of industrial and military ocean noise on whales and other marine life. It won an Emmy Award in 2016 for Outstanding Music and Sound.
Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium is hosting a World Ocean Day for schools. It includes fun learning activities throughout the day, science, music, yoga, movies, and storytelling. The event will also feature Yoshi the turtle and Ocean hero Chris Bertish.
The event will be live streamed on WORLDOCEANDAY.SCHOOL
Since there are so many organisations in different countries (and time zones) all around the globe hosting online events, we thought we would create and share this Google Calendar for you to keep track of everything and make sure you don't miss your favourite event. All times are for South Africa (GMT+2) which means for some events we are going to have to stay up past our bedtimes.
You can print the calendar to a PDF or subscribe to the Google Calendar here. If you do not use Google Calendar then subscribe to this instead.
REFERENCES
United Nations, 2020. World Oceans Day | United Nations. [online] United Nations. Available at: <https://www.un.org/en/observances/oceans-day> [Accessed 4 June 2020].
UNESCO, 2020. COVID-19: The Ocean, An Ally Against The Virus. [online] Available at: <https://en.unesco.org/news/covid-19-ocean-ally-against-virus-0> [Accessed 4 June 2020].
Blog.padi.com. 2020. World Oceans Day Is A PADI Torchbearer Day. [online] Available at: <https://blog.padi.com/2020/05/31/world-oceans-day-is-a-padi-torchbearer-day> [Accessed 4 June 2020].
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