World Oceans Day is this week and a chance to celebrate and bring awareness to a part of Mother Earth that covers 71% of our world and holds 97% of all the water on Earth. The oceans on our planet are the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, Indian and Southern or Antarctic Oceans. These five large, interconnected bodies of water contribute at least 50% of the oxygen in our atmosphere and are home to approximately 80% of the Earth’s organisms. In addition, there are more than 5000 active undersea volcanoes and the longest continuous mountain chain. This chain is the Mid-Ocean Ridge, stretching more than 40,000 miles, most of it residing underwater, deep in the ocean floor. Despite the high salt content of ocean waters, without these beautiful, mysterious deep blue bodies of liquid, our world would not be habitable for humans, animals, or plants.
The Canadian Government first proposed the concept for World Oceans Day at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. After several years and the coordinated efforts of many organizations and tens of thousands of individuals, a resolution was passed in December 2008, and the United Nations officially began recognizing World Oceans Day on June 8th of every year. This was an essential step in turning the effort into a global one. Since then, the network of partners worldwide has grown to include approximately 2,000 organizations committed to preserving our oceans and the marine and plant life that call them home.
We will celebrate the day by enjoying our local beach and recommitting to being better stewards of our environment. Some changes that we have personally made include: not using single-use plastic bottles and opting instead for stainless steel or multiple-use bottles; using reusable totes or bags when shopping if possible; not using plastic straws either at home or while out dining; picking up trash when we see it even when it is not ours; and to recycle/repurpose when possible. We are also exploring ways of replacing chemicals we regularly use, like shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap and many others, with environmentally friendly alternatives. In addition, we have committed to using reef-safe sunscreen. There are so many ways we impact Mother Nature through our choices, and we continue to try to be more mindful of all our actions and purchases in an effort to reduce our effects on the environment each day.
Please help us spread the word and share how you plan to celebrate World Oceans Day this year and any changes you have made or intend to make to preserve our oceans and environment. Change starts with each of us.