World Oceans Day
Happy World Oceans Day,
everyone!
From food, to weather, to biodiversity, to beauty, the ocean is unparalleled in its importance to humans and all life on Earth. In 2009, the United Nations designated June 8 as an international day to celebrate oceans and all they provide for us.
Here are some
impressive ocean facts to get you inspired:
- Oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface, and contain 97% of our planet's water.
- Oceans support the life of more than half of all Earth's species.
- Oceans provide food and income for hundreds of millions of people around the world.
But we humans
have an odd way of thanking the oceans. Today, oceans worldwide face countless
threats. Most recently, we've all been watching the disastrous oil
spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which is wrecking havoc on the region's marine
life, as well as the livelihoods of many who live near the Gulf. Oceans are also being dangerously overfished,
with some species, like bluefin tuna,
rapidly approaching extinction.
Ocean
ecosystems are severely threatened by climate change through the process of ocean acidification,
which is impairing the ability of coral reefs, crustaceans, and other marine
life to survive in increasingly acidic waters. These and many other threats
mean that it is more important than ever to celebrate World Oceans Day--now, and
every day.
How can we
become better ocean stewards? Seacology's Scientific Advisor and ocean expert Sylvia
Earle has some ideas. Winner of the 2009 TED prize, Sylvia's wish is that
we "use all the means at
our disposal - films, expeditions, the web, new submarines, and more - to
ignite public support for a global network of Marine Protected Areas - hope
spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the
planet."
Seacology is
helping to make Sylvia's wish a reality. We have protected millions acres of
coral reef and other marine habitat surrounding islands around the world. Our
projects include everything from preserving
Palau's Helen Reef, to conserving
the Lakshadweep Archipelago in India, to safeguarding
the marine habitat of Mexico's Guadalupe Island.
Join us in protecting the
world's oceans, and from all of us at Seacology, happy World Oceans Day!
