Helping the ocean on World Ocean Day

Did you know that half of the world’s oxygen is produced in the ocean?

Much of it is produced by phytoplankton - microscopic organisms that drift in sunlit ocean waters. Like plants on land, they use photosynthesis to turn sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into organic matter, releasing oxygen in the process.

Sadly, human activities such as pollution, unsustainable fishing, coastal development, and climate change threaten phytoplankton and other marine life. If we are to save the ocean, its plants and animals, and the many things the ocean gives us, we need to act quickly. World Oceans Day encourages us to do just that.

Celebrating the ocean for a brighter future.

Held every June 8, World Oceans Day is a global celebration of our ocean. Across the World, thousands of schools, universities, non-profits, businesses, and communities organize events to help people learn more about and connect with the ocean.

World Oceans Day began in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, when the Oceans Institute of Canada, supported by the Canadian Government, proposed Oceans Day. Coordinated by The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network, organizations across the World started organizing events such as beach and ocean clean-ups, touch-tank and rock pooling activities, public presentations and discussions, and art and cultural events. However, it wasn't until 2008 that the United Nations officially designated June 8 as World Oceans Day.

The inaugural UN World Oceans Day took place in 2009 at the UN headquarters in New York, USA. Participants were treated to a panel discussion, a screening of the documentary "A Sea Change," and an exhibition of children's artwork highlighting their connections with the ocean. Since then, every World Oceans Day has had a different theme. These include Our Oceans: Greening our Future, Clean our Ocean!, and Gender and Oceans. Today, the UN World Oceans Day is a hybrid event, making it accessible to people who can't attend in person.

Celebrate the ocean, then act for the ocean

World Oceans Day isn't just about education, inspiration, and connection. It's about taking action too.

In 2016, The Ocean Project added multi-year Conservation Action Focus campaigns to the Day. From 2016 until 2019, the campaign focused on preventing plastic pollution and advancing solutions. The focus shifted in 2020 to embrace the 30X30 campaign, which seeks to protect at least 30% of the land, waters, and ocean by 2030.

The problem of plastic pollution

Plastic is a versatile material that has undeniably changed our lives. However, it's becoming more evident that plastic is not fantastic for the environment.

There are two key issues with plastics. First, unless removed, plastics in the ocean stay there forever. Over time, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, sometimes so small we can't see them without the help of a microscope. These tiny pieces, known as microplastics, get everywhere, including in the stomachs of even the smallest marine animals. Larger animals like whales and sea turtles also eat microplastics, as well as larger items like plastic bags, netting, and even plastic cups. Eating plastic can cause many problems. For example, they may block an animal’s bowels, causing it to starve to death.

The second key problem comes from the makeup of the plastic itself, which is often toxic. What's more, contaminants in seawater tend to accumulate on plastics, potentially making them even more harmful. Even if an animal eats small pieces of plastic that do not cause any immediate harm, the toxins in the plastic could leach out into its body. Toxins from consuming plastic are thought to be responsible for deformations, growth problems, and even brain issues. Even if the plastics are never eaten, toxins can still leach into the water.

Protecting the ocean with the 30x30 campaign.

Marine protected areas, sometimes known as marine parks and marine reserves, are one of the most important tools we have to protect marine life. There are many types of marine protected areas, each allowing people to do different activities. For example, some marine protected areas completely ban fishing or oil and gas exploration and extraction, as it is deemed too damaging to the animals and plants. Others allow more activities, only preventing certain types of fishing or fishing during certain times, for example.

If well managed and offering the best possible protection, marine protected areas can be remarkably effective at taking care of nature. However, protected areas are small in number, and just 2.4% of the ocean is highly protected or fully protected from fishing impacts.

The 30X30 campaign is pushing for 30% of the planet to be covered by a protected area. The campaign argues that 30% will help stem the loss of animals and plants and provide other benefits, such as helping keep air and water clean and storing carbon.

Creating ripples of change with individual steps

The problems facing the ocean can seem overwhelming, and at times we can feel powerless to help. There are plenty of things we can do as individuals to help reduce our impact and give the ocean a brighter future. Here are a few ideas to get you started—even outside World Oceans Day!

• Let your political representative know you want action for the ocean. You could write your representative a letter or email, speak to them at events, and use your vote. Joining peaceful marches on marine issues can also help show politicians that many people want a better future for the ocean.

• Support non-profits that help protect our ocean by volunteering or donating. Non-profits work on a range of ocean issues. For example, some organizations focus on cleaning up the ocean.

  These include Ocean Defenders Alliance, which works in California, USA, and Hawai'i. Others focus on specific species. Project Seagrass, for example, uses science-based solutions to help protect and restore seagrass meadows. Meanwhile, non-profits like Bloom work to bring about change on the political level so animals, plants, and people whose livelihoods depend on the ocean have a more sustainable future.

  Not sure who to support? Here is a global list of marine-based non-profits.

• Get involved in community science! Also known as citizen science or public science, citizen science helps us learn more about the ocean and better protect it. It is fun too!

  There are many different citizen science projects happening across the World. For example, Redmap Australia asks you to submit photos of species you have seen in and around the sea. In the UK, Marine Conservation Society beach clean volunteers send information about what they have found. The information helps push for change that reduces the amount of waste reaching our beaches and the ocean in the first place.

  Can't get out to a beach or the ocean? You can help scientists like Alexa Hasselman study killer whales from the comfort of your sofa.

• Reduce, reduce, reduce! Then reuse, repurpose, and recycle. Minimizing the amount of waste you produce puts less pressure on waste disposal systems and reduces the chance of your garbage ending up in the ocean.

• Think carefully about your seafood choices. When shopping or dining out, voting with your wallet can help support those acting more sustainably and drive others to do the same.

  Sustainable seafood guides can help you make your choice. Most guides are country-or region-specific, so search for one where you live. For example, Seafood Watch covers seafood in North America, while Forest & Bird's Best Fish Guide offers guidance for consumers in New Zealand.

This article was written for Humanely/Ask.com