Every year, on June 8th, we mark World Oceans Day. This day is set by the United Nations to acknowledge the bond we share with the oceans. The World Ocean Network, The Ocean Project, and several other ocean-centric organizations organize activities globally. These activities include seafaring festivals, beach cleanups, school projects, and environment-related talks. What started as a simple idea has now grown into a global event that brings the world’s attention to the value of our oceans.
Indeed, every day should be regarded as Oceans Day. We know this due to the daily headlines about various ocean-related problems: increasing plastic pollution and massive oceanic garbage patches, disastrous consequences of oil drilling failures or shipping accidents, piracy in Arabian waters, changes in trade due to the widening of the Panama Canal, threats from melting sea ice and opening of Arctic routes, diminishing global fish stocks, lax ocean regulations and increased exploitation, and mounting proof of climate change’s negative impact on oceans and human survival.
So, what’s the aim of World Oceans Day? It’s a collective call-to-action for those concerned about oceanic issues. This unified voice can let us know we’re not alone in caring for the ocean. It can also encourage us to believe that together we can create change. Moreover, this call-to-action could shake up the political landscape which often overlooks ocean issues, delaying actions until it’s too late. Sadly, often what we hear is the silence of indifference, loud voices of denial, or, occasionally, the scientific voices that haven’t yet been loud enough to bring the needed change.
According to a 2016 survey by The Ocean Project, public awareness of ocean issues in the U.S hasn’t improved over a decade. This lack of progress exists despite ongoing efforts by environmental and ocean organizations to inform and educate. So, what will it take to rally public will around this issue, to transform it into a voice for change, and to overcome apathy and skepticism? The answer may lie in the ocean itself, which we’ve often seen as limitless in its ability to absorb pollutants, contain oil spills, sequester CO2, clean up waste, produce protein, and purify water. But the truth is, even the ocean has its limits.
When we observe or think about the sea, we’re in awe of its constant motion, changing light, and abundant life. The ocean contributes significantly to our well-being through water, food, energy, and our cultural and spiritual connections to it. Why then should we put such a valuable resource at risk? Why neglect a policy intended to protect it? Why overlook the need for laws and management strategies? Why would we deliberately harm such a vital and vibrant entity? On this World Oceans Day, if we realize that these actions harm us too, we can spend every other day spreading the word, changing our behaviors, and encouraging more people to demand better treatment for our oceans.