Today, June 8th, World Oceans Day is being celebrated across the globe. And over on Twitter, #WorldOceansDay is trending as various groups, organizations, and institutions share their insights about this momentous occasion. Up next are the details of this news.
What is World Oceans Day?
The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth. It is a life source, supporting the sustenance of human beings and other organisms on this planet.
Home to most of the Earth’s biodiversity and the primary source of protein for billions of people worldwide, the ocean produces at least 50 percent of the planet’s oxygen. But the statistics regarding how the world cares for its seas are far more alarming.
According to data on the website of the United Nations, which started World Oceans Day, 90 percent of big fish populations are depleted, and 50 percent of coral reefs are destroyed. This is why occasions like World Oceans Day are important to promote caring for the world’s oceans.
World Oceans Day, or World Ocean Day, is an international day that happens annually every June 8th. It was in 1992 when the concept was originally proposed by the International Centre for Ocean Development in Canada, and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development in Brazil.
This year, World Oceans Day follows the theme, “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing,” which discovers “how Earth is more than it may seem,” and promote cherishing and protecting not just the ocean but the entire planet.
Twitter celebrates #WorldOceanDay
Various groups are sharing their insights about World Ocean Day on Twitter, celebrating the occasion.
The official Twitter account of the United Nations said the ocean is our life, future, and responsibility.
“She is life. Our future. Our responsibility. She is our ocean. (emoji) And we have the power to save her. But we must #ActNow. Thursday is #WorldOceansDay,” the United Nations tweeted.
UN added that there is one ocean but two possible futures. They said by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea and urged people to save the ocean.
Meanwhile, UNESCO, a specialized agency of the UN that promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture, also called for all countries to take urgent action to save the ocean.
“Not only the #Ocean provides the air we breathe, but it also absorbs 30% of the planet’s CO2 emissions. Yet, we are literally killing it… we call on all countries to take urgent action to #SaveOurOcean!” UNESCO tweeted.
“Happy #WorldOceansDay! Our ocean connects, sustains & supports all life on Earth. Yet, the triple planetary crisis puts it under serious threat. It’s time to restore our relationship with the ocean to one with respect and of balance,” the UN Environment Programme tweeted.
Individuals on Twitter are also joining the bandwagon. One of them is Naveen Patnaik, a politician in India, who said oceans are the “lungs” of the Earth, urging people to keep them plastic-free.
