Wednesday 7 June 2023

World Oceans Day 2023; June 8th.


This year's theme is Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. We need to conserve our wonderful marine resources for future generationsOur 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 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.




Statement the the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on World Oceans Day 2023; June 8th.


The ocean is the foundation of life.

It supplies the air we breathe and food we eat.

It regulates our climate and weather.

The ocean is our planet's greatest reservoir of biodiversity.

Its resources sustain communities, prosperity and human health around the world.

Humanity counts on the ocean.

But can the ocean count on us?

We should be the ocean's best friend.

But right now, humanity is its worst enemy.

Human-induced climate change is heating our planet, disrupting weather patterns and ocean currents, and altering marine ecosystems and the species living there.

Marine biodiversity is under attack from overfishing, over-exploitation and ocean acidification.

Over one-third of fish stocks are being harvested at unsustainable levels.

And we are polluting our coastal waters with chemicals, plastics and human waste.

But this year's World Oceans Day reminds us that the tides are changing.



Last year, we adopted an ambitious global target to conserve and manage 30 per cent of land and marine and coastal areas by 2030, as well as a landmark agreement on fisheries subsidies.

At the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, the world agreed to push for more positive ocean action.

A global, legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution is under negotiation.

And in March, countries agreed to the historic High Seas Treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Realizing the great promise of these initiatives requires collective commitment.

Sustainable Development Goal 14 — to conserve and sustainably use the ocean's resources — hangs in the balance.

This World Oceans Day, let's keep pushing for action.

Today and every day, let's put the ocean first. 

United Nations Secretary-General.




At UNHQ, a virtual event will be held on June 8th from 10/00 AM to 13:00 PM EDT.

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.

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.





To celebrate World Oceans Day 2023, 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. Through the World Oceans Day 2023 theme Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing, 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:

  1.  The Ocean As Earth’s Largest Ecosystem 
  2. Untapped Potential Opportunities for the Ocean 
  3. The Ocean x Climate Interface
  4.  Lesser Known Ecosystems & Underwater Terrains 
  5. Coastal Stewardship & Cultural Significance of The Ocean 
  6. Creativity as a Catalyst for Global Understanding 
  7. Cross-discipline Collaboration & Systemic 
  8. Change Our Collective need to put the Ocean First



WORLDWIDE EVENTS


In Australia and New Zealand - Even though World Oceans Day is a global day to celebrate our oceans, there's plenty that can be done locally to support ocean life around our coasts. Whether you live beside the Indian Ocean or South Pacific, near the Coral Sea, Tasman Sea, or by the Great Australian Bight – there's no denying we're island nations who depend on the sea for food, jobs in fishing and tourism, recreation and lifestyle.


ACTIVITIES 

World Oceans Day is a day to take action and raise awareness about Oceans.

1 - Teach and learn about the ocean

Use the Australian and New Zealand curriculum-relevant teaching and learning resources to discover how we can help keep our oceans healthy for generations to come.

In Australia, our Saltwater Schools education program features ocean-themed education resources aligned with the Australian curriculum suitable for Stages 3-5. This includes lesson plans, videos, fact sheets, games, and activities. View World Ocean Day teaching resources for Australia.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, our Te Kawa O Tangaroa ocean-centred learning programme focuses on solutions to overfishing and how we can ensure oceans teeming with life. View World Ocean Day teaching resources for New Zealand.

These World Ocean Day activities are adaptable for learners (Year 7+) across science and social science, and include an activity encouraging learners to ‘Make a Deal with the Ocean’ that leads to action for ocean sustainability.

  • Let's Make a Deal with the Ocean: Take Action! Classroom activities for making a pledge to help our Ocean. Includes free downloadable banner for your classroom.
  • Lesson Plan / Teacher Outline: Download a teacher outline with lesson plans and activity outlines for teaching ocean sustainability. Adaptable for Years 7-13.
  • Ocean Sustainability PowerPoint Slides: Download our World Ocean Day PowerPoint slide set to accompany and support teaching World Ocean Day learning activities.
  • INTERFACE Minecraft Student Competition 2023: Build a Big Blue Future: It’s on! Get your blocks ready for the INTERFACE Minecraft Student Competition 2023, ‘Build a Big Blue Future’... created in partnership with the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
  • Kahoot Quiz - Cod Fishery Collapse: It’s good to remember how far we have come in our understanding and awareness about the issue of overfishing. Learn more about the collapse of the Northern Hemisphere Cod fishery and how this brought the issue of overfishing into the spot light
  • World Ocean Day Kahoot Quiz: Take our World Ocean Day Kahoot! People all over the world are taking this Kahoot – test your knowledge and see where you rank amongst other global ocean lovers.

2 -  Ocean friendly recipesCook certified sustainable seafood 

This sustainable seafood guide makes shopping for sustainable seafood easier; Explore our tasty sustainable seafood recipes from chefs across Australia, New Zealand and around the world.

3 - Explore sustainable fisheries

The best way to understand the impact of MSC certified sustainable fisheries is to hear first-hand from those involved. Experience these immersive sustainable fishery stories about real-life communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing and hear from passionate people taking care of our ocean.

4 - Stay informed and inspired

Follow the MSC on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and we’ll keep you up to date on the latest ocean news, stories, reports, recipes and more. You can also sign up for one of our regular newsletters. Depending on your interests, there is a handful to choose from, including a monthly consumer newsletter featuring top stories and recipes and a weekly Fisheries Update on the latest certifications and assessments.


HISTORY OF WORLD OCEANS DAY


The history of World Oceans Day dates back to the early 1990s.

The concept of a dedicated day to honour the world's oceans was first proposed by the Canadian government during the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The Canadian government suggested the idea of establishing an international day to celebrate the oceans and their significance in our daily lives.

The proposal gained support from various organisations and governments around the world, and in 2002, World Oceans Day was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly. The United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) was designated as the focal point for coordinating and promoting the observance of World Oceans Day.

Since its official recognition, World Oceans Day has been celebrated globally with a wide range of activities and events. These activities include educational programs, beach clean-ups, art contests, film screenings, public lectures, and other initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth and the need to protect and conserve marine ecosystems.

World Oceans Day provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, and organisations to come together and emphasise the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable practices. It serves as a platform to highlight the various threats facing the oceans, such as pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change while promoting solutions and encouraging collective action to address these challenges.

Through the years, World Oceans Day has grown into a global movement involving millions of people across the globe who are committed to protecting our oceans and ensuring their long-term health and vitality. The day serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and the need for sustainable practices to safeguard our oceans for future generations.

PLEDGES

Pledge to protect our Ocean - Take the plunge and make a pledge TODAY to protect this vast, irreplaceable ecosystem that sustains us all!

HOW TO GET INVOLVED!





CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

Help create a wave of support by encouraging your friends and family members to join the celebration. Download and print the A3 ocean literacy poster for your classroom.


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