PURPOSE: 8 June is World Oceans Day, the United Nations day for celebrating the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. On this occasion, we shed light on the wonder of the ocean and how it is our lifesource, supporting humanity and every other organism on Earth. Since its inception in 2008, the United Nations has celebrated World Oceans Day in recognition of the ocean’s importance as the sustainer of all life on earth. As the challenges to the ocean continue to grow, so does the need to understand them and to mobilize globally. Drawing in a global community through a series of in-person and virtual events and campaigns, the annual United Nations celebration has created an inclusive and dynamic platform, ignited a groundswell of awareness, and through multi stakeholder engagement, has yielded impactful action for the ocean and our blue planet.
FORUM: "Planet Oceans: Tides are changing." World Oceans Day 2023. Through this theme; We will discover how Earth is more than it may seem, and generate a new wave of excitement towards cherishing and protecting the ocean and the entirety of our blue planet. The celebration will include a mix of Keynotes, Panels, Spotlight Presentations, Art & Film Integrations and Performances, surrounding key themes including: The Ocean As Earth’s Largest Ecosystem; Untapped Potential Opportunities for the Ocean; The Ocean x Climate Interface; Lesser Known Ecosystems & Underwater Terrains; Coastal Stewardship & Cultural Significance of The Ocean; Creativity as a Catalyst for Global Understanding; Cross-discipline Collaboration & Systemic Change; Our Collective need to put the Ocean First. Let’s work on the conservation of our wonderful marine resources for future generations. Our ocean needs protection. Our ocean covers 70% of the planet and supports life as we know it. Every second breath we take comes from the ocean; Our ocean feeds billions of people and hosts 80% of the world’s biodiversity. However, our oceans are in crisis. They are being threatened by pollution such as abandoned fishing nets, overfishing, bycatch, and the effects of climate change. We know the problems. We know the solutions. World Ocean Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the people worldwide working hard to protect ocean ecosystems. Get involved in the conversation with the hashtags: #WorldOceansDay, #8june, #PlanetOcean, #Tidesarechanging, #BigBlueFuture, #OceanFirst.
EVENTS: At UNHQ, a virtual event will be held on June 8th from 10:00 AM to 13:00 PM EDT to celebrate the United Nations World Oceans Day 2023 theme, Planet Ocean. The United Nations is joining forces with decision makers, scientists, private sector executives, civil society representatives, indigenous communities, celebrities and youth activists and more to put the ocean first. In celebration of the day, OceanX and Oceanic Global are teaming up on the "Ocean First" campaign to underscore 2023 theme’s call to action “Time to Put the Ocean First.” The event is hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with Oceanic Global and supported by Panerai, with contribution by Discover Earth and OceanX. Register to watch the event.
PODCASTS: The advent of ocean-observing satellites has launched a new era of marine discovery. Remotely sensed satellite data and modeling techniques enable the global mapping of seasonal changes in ocean surface topography, currents, waves, winds, phytoplankton content, sea-ice extent, rainfall, sunlight reaching the sea, and sea surface temperature. Explore latest ocean-related stories and Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: IT’S TIME TO PUT THE OCEAN FIRST. Annually about 8 million metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean and by 2050, it’s estimated that there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are. Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
The Date of June 8th is a day for humanity to celebrate the ocean. In the interim, observation of Oceans Day had broadened and deepened. The need and scope for this was reflected in the broad range of concerns expressed in 2008 by the United Nations Secretary-General, including implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, maritime space, international shipping, maritime security, marine science and technology, marine biological diversity, the marine environment and sustainable development, climate change and regional and international cooperation. The awareness and action spurred by observation of World Oceans Day would be crucial in all these areas. Looking at our Earth from space, it is obvious that we live on a water planet. Ocean covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and contains about 97% of the Earth's surface water. Life in the oceans can be found from the surface to the extreme environments at the bottom of the deepest submarine trench. It is not surprising that the oceans represent over 99% of the living space on Earth...we are indeed living on what is truly an ocean planet. Let’s celebrate the Oceans!
ACTIONS
World Oceans Day reminds us all of their important role in our daily lives.
Explore the Journal of Oceanological Research.
Understand and explore solutions to the growing problem of ocean noise pollution and its impact on
.Learn more on Climate and ecological emergencies: the solutions of the Ocean.
Join the photo contest’ ’Revitalization through Art.’’
Improve the sustainable use and management of coastal and marine resources.
Act for Gender Mainstreaming in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management.
Join the Fish sticks activities
PARTNERSHIPS
The World Oceans Day is organized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, the UN-Oceans, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the GRID-Arendal and the UN-SPIDER.
With the collaboration of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, the Australian Antarctic Division, the NASA OCEANS - Science Mission Directorate, the Office of Ocean Exploration Research of the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, the International Science Council, the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the Ocean Conservation Research (OCR), the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, (JAMSTEC) and several other National Governmental Agencies.