When thinking of being green, let’s not forget the blue! The great, big blue ocean, that is. Today, June 8, is World Oceans Day.
The aim of this special day, the first official World Oceans Day, is to raise awareness of the importance of the earth’s largest bodies of water and draw attention to the plight they are in and the help they need from each one of us.
It goes without saying that water is an essential ingredient for life on earth. In fact, the majority of the surface of our planet is covered by the world’s oceans. Think of the amazing amount of species they support: about 50% of all life on earth. Think too of the tides and ocean currents which play a huge role in our planet’s weather and seasons in ways we do not fully comprehend. We cannot afford to ruin our oceans!
However, because of lack of awareness perhaps, and because of outright greed, these assets have been taken advantage of to an overwhelming degree. We might wonder how humans could disrupt such a vast and powerful system. The truth is, though, the unfathomably rich and complex eco-systems hidden deep beneath the oceans are indeed being affected by human behavior.
Major destructive behavior includes overfishing. Thanks to new technology, fish don’t stand (or swim!) a chance. They can be caught much easier and in much greater quantities than ever before. The Australian Marine Conservation Society says that 90% of the big fish, such as sharks and tuna, have disappeared from the seas. They also report that the world’s fish stocks are on track to collapse within 40 years.
Carbon emissions, scientists tell us, are being absorbed by the oceans and causing acidification. The increased acidity creates a new and challenging ‘climate’ for underwater life to survive in. In fact, the UN Reports that at least 50% of the world’s coral reefs are in danger of destruction or damage within decades.
As well, litter of almost every kind has turned large areas of the oceans into swirling cesspools of toxic garbage.
It is clear that change is needed. World Oceans Day Events are being held in many locations. But there is much we can individually do to contribute to the cause, today and beyond.
Be an informed consumer and purchase only sustainable seafood, that which is extracted from the water in an eco-responsible manner. Work to reduce your carbon footprint, realizing that this will aid not only the air and ground around us but the oceans as well. And do your part to keep beaches and waterways clear of plastic and other harmful debris. Participate in shoreline clean-ups and report those who deliberately harm these areas.
Let’s use World Oceans Day as an impetus to move forward and grow in appreciation of the wonders of these vast expanses of water. Let’s do what we can everyday for the good of the plant and its life-giving oceans.
