World Oceans Day is an annual global event on June 8th that raises awareness about the importance and preservation of the ocean. It emphasises the ocean’s effects on climate regulation, biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods. The oceans are considered our planet’s lungs, sustaining 57 million jobs globally and giving protein to more than half of the population in least-developed nations. They absorb 90 per cent of surplus heat. The concept of World Oceans Day was introduced during the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and was officially adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008.

Every year on June 8th, the globe celebrates Ocean Day to address ocean issues and safeguard ocean water. The United Nations General Assembly formally established the day in 2009 with Resolution 63/111. To involve more kids in the effort and preserve ocean water, messages are disseminated via social media. The day emphasises the importance of protecting the seas and promoting worldwide cooperation.

World Oceans Day Theme 2024

World Oceans Day 2024 seeks to create a healthier, more sustainable society by increasing awareness about the ocean’s importance and the need to conserve it. The UN is collaborating with decision-makers and youth activists to prioritise the seas since plastic waste causes significant harm to marine life. The event, co-produced by the United Nations Division and Oceanic Global, focuses on safeguarding the ocean, its ecosystems, and biodiversity. The event also seeks to promote climate change adaptation.

The subject for 2024 is “Catalysing Action for Our Ocean & Climate” to highlight communities, ideas, and solutions that collaborate to protect and revitalise the ocean and its resources. Plastic rubbish is being poured into the oceans, destroying life and endangering the ocean’s inhabitants. The UN Division and Oceanic Global are collaborating to restore balance and safeguard the seas, which are a life source for humans and offer food and livelihood.

History of World Oceans Day

• World Ocean Day is an annual celebration held on June 8th, coinciding with the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992. Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) suggested the day to promote awareness of the ocean’s importance and inspire action to safeguard it.
• The day was formally recognised by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2008, and millions of people throughout the world commemorate it today. To promote awareness and urge action, a variety of activities are organised, including educational lectures, beach cleanups, and concerts.
• The United Nations General Assembly created World Ocean Day in 2008 to highlight ocean challenges and protect ocean water. The UN General Assembly formally established the day in 2009, with Resolution 63/111. Despite its significance, the day is also utilised to engage young people and promote ocean conservation via social media.
• The day’s significance is amplified by its importance in addressing ocean challenges and encouraging ocean conservation.

Significance of the World Ocean Day

• The ocean serves as a key environment for humans and the earth, giving protein and jobs to over a billion people. It also plays an important part in the hydrologic cycle, absorbing human-produced CO2 to help prevent global warming. Marine plants offer half the oxygen required for living. World Ocean Day 2024 serves as a reminder of how important the ocean is to the world and all life on Earth.
• The seas encompass more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and contain 97% of all water. They support an astonishing diversity of life and play an important part in controlling the Earth’s temperature and weather patterns.
• However, the seas are under threat from a variety of human activities, including pollution, overfishing, and global warming. Pollution from land-based sources can impact marine life and ecosystems, and overfishing can reduce fish populations. Climate change can cause oceans to warm and acidify, threatening coral reefs and other marine life.
• World Ocean Day 2024 aims to increase awareness about the ocean’s importance and encourage conservation initiatives. By taking action on Ocean Day and throughout the year, we can ensure that future generations’ seas remain healthy. It offers a rare chance to honour and protect our waters.
• Because the oceans are our planet’s lungs, giving oxygen for breathing, food and medicine, and forming an important element of the biosphere, we must protect our seas and marine life from the threats of global warming. By taking part in World Ocean Day, we can help to shape a better world.

How to Celebrate World Ocean Day 2024?

• World Ocean Day commemorates the marvels of the ocean while also calling for action to safeguard this valuable resource. To participate, try taking shorter showers, replacing faulty faucets, and watering your grass less frequently.
• Choose ecological textiles such as linen, hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton, which use less water to produce and grow. Linen takes less irrigation and thrives in arid climates, but hemp grows swiftly and requires little water.
• Organic cotton cultivation employs rainwater and irrigation systems to limit water waste and avoid the use of toxic pesticides. Sustainable fashion is about more than simply looks; it’s also about having a beneficial influence on the environment.
• Organising beach clean-up events, viewing documentaries or films about the ocean, and contributing your time and resources to ocean protection organisations may all help to raise awareness about the significance of healthy oceans and the risks they face. By doing so, we may assist in protecting freshwater resources that eventually reach the ocean, resulting in a healthier ecosystem for everyone.

Conclusion

World Oceans Day 2024, an annual global event celebrated on June 8th, advocates ocean conservation and a healthier future. Introduced during the 1992 Earth Summit, it was officially endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008. The subject for 2024 is “Catalysing Action for Our Ocean & Climate,” which will showcase communities and solutions to conserve and revitalise the ocean and its resources. Participation may assist in creating a better world by encouraging sustainable habits and supporting ocean preservation organisations.