World Oceans Day highlights the importance of oceans to life on Earth. Find out its history, and significance, as well as theme for World Oceans Day 2023.
Every year on June 8, the World Oceans Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the vital role that oceans play in maintaining life on Earth. This day, which is celebrated by the UN, raises awareness of the ocean and motivates people all around the world to take action to safeguard our marine resources. We believe that by highlighting the importance of the world’s oceans, we may motivate people, communities, and governments to cooperate for a more sustainable future.
History of the World Oceans Day:
Every year on June 8, people all across the world observe World Oceans Day to recognize the value of the ocean to both the earth and mankind. At the 1992 Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) proposed the notion. The Ocean Project organised World Ocean Day internationally since 2002. The UN declared “World Oceans Day” in 2008. The worldwide day promotes ocean conservation and sustainable resource management while promoting global SDGs.
Relevance of the World Oceans Day in 2023:
On this day, people gather together to discuss how we can safeguard the ocean’s resources in a sustainable manner. The seas are under risk due to coral reef destruction and oceanic resource depletion, which will directly affect human existence. Therefore, in order to conserve the seas, we need to comprehend sustainable resource management and the execution of sustainable goals.
World Oceans Day 2023 theme:
World Oceans Day 2023 will have as its theme Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. The United Nations is collaborating with decision-makers, scientists, business leaders, members of civil society, representatives of indigenous communities, celebrities, and young activists to put the ocean first in honor of this year’s theme for World Oceans Day.
Here are a few significant moments in World Oceans Day’s past.
1992: The idea for World Oceans Day is put out during the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit. World Oceans Day is first globally coordinated in 2002 by The Ocean Project. The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network start a petition in 2004 asking the UN to declare June 8th as World Oceans Day.
2008: World Oceans Day is formally recognized by the UN General Assembly.
2015: The United Nations adopts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14, which calls for the preservation and responsible use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The 30th World Oceans Day will be observed in 2022.
