A sea change is in the air!
The United Nations recognizes June 8th as International World Oceans Day; a day to celebrate the life-giving beauty and complexity of the world’s ocean, and to draw attention to the challenges that threaten this vital ecosystem.
Each year, a new theme is selected for World Oceans Day.
This year, the theme is “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing.” You can view the 2023 WOD announcement video here. The 2023 focus on the ocean centers around acknowledgement of humanity’s reliance on the unique planetary jewel that is Earth’s ocean. Found nowhere else in the known universe, our watery ocean is the life support system of our planet. Until now, attention toward ocean health has been inadequate, but as the theme suggests, the tides are changing.
Now, more than ever before, a global initiative to put the ocean first is in full swing. Scientists, world governments, private companies, indigenous community members, youth activists, celebrities, and other decision makers are coming together to implement a plan to save the seas. Included in this year’s speaker list are Dr. Sylvia Earle, Jason Momoa, and Fabien Cousteau, among others.
You can be a part of this plan and help bring a sea change to the health of the ocean, our life support system. Join in celebrating World Oceans Day by acknowledging the ocean’s role in planetary health, educating yourself and those around you on how to support ocean health, and work to bring change in how we think about and treat the world’s oceans.
Mission Blue is an excellent Netflix documentary on Dr. Sylvia Earle’s unique project to create “Hope Spots,” or marine protected areas around the world. And it’s working! This year, they welcomed Northeast Iceland as the newest Hope Spot. Numerous sea birds, whales, fish, and sea mammals are now thriving within these marine protected zones. You can see more about the Northeast Iceland Hope Spot here.