Updated January 7, 2023
About World Ocean Day
Have you heard water everywhere but not a drop to drink? Water availability in the preceding line refers to water found in the oceans. You may be aware that the seas and oceans contain more than 97% of the water on the planet. So, why do we need to celebrate a day dedicated to oceans in the world? 
History, Themes, Significance, and More
The World Ocean Day celebration is important for raising awareness about the health of these water bodies and their role in the Earth’s sustainability. Large numbers of fish, zooplankton, corals, and other sea creatures live in the oceans. However, anthropogenic activities have caused a decline in marine life.
Therefore, it became essential to fix a date that can remind us that the health of oceans is as crucial as ours. On June 8 every year, World Ocean Day reminds the world to protect it before it loses its enormous biodiversity.
Let’s know more about this day in the calendar on World ocean day 2023.
The Genesis of the Idea (History)
The World Oceans Day celebration idea came up at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro summit, better known as the Earth Summit. The aim was to celebrate the closeness we share with oceans and seas where life began at first. The agenda was to celebrate and spread awareness of the depleting standards of marine life and ocean water. The shared goal reached the stakeholders who supported the idea and voluntarily accepted to take steps in a positive direction.
To make the promotion reach the maximum number of people, in 2003, a website was launched, which helped the organizations to collaborate and update on the conservation of oceans. The task force’s mission is to conserve at least 30% of the blue planet by the end of 2030. You can also do your bit with little steps and actions to make a significant change.
Themes of World Ocean Day
The themes are selected each year with different goals and missions. The idea is to take positive actions to save our blue bodies from anthropogenic activities. The theme for 2022 was Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean.
The theme suggests that through the collective action of various stakeholders, changing the face of our planet is possible. Revitalizing our oceans is the need of the hour in the scenario of poor marine life, plastic pollution, and incidents of oil spills.
However, The theme for 2023 is yet to be announced and will be updated on the official website of world ocean day.
Significance of World Ocean Day
The changing dynamics of global climate have changed a lot of things around us. In general, the oceans and biodiversity of Earth are at risk. It is considered that oceans are carbon sinks, but the amount of carbon dioxide released yearly cannot sink in the oceans too.
Life and livelihood depend a lot on the oceans. These are means of trade, tourism, and sustainability for a large number of people around the world. Many countries like Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka depend greatly on Oceans for survival.
Conserving a source of life and livelihood is our responsibility. June 8 calls for action from the stakeholders. If today’s action is delayed, the future is dark. Oceans are the lifeline of many coastal countries.
Rare Facts About Ocean and Marine Life
- The below water accounts for more than 94% of total life on planet Earth. The species of plants and animals under the oceans are more than what humankind is aware of today. We know only a fraction of what exists in the oceans.
- There are many mountain ranges below the oceanic waters like we see on the Earth’s surface. The mid-oceanic ridge is an example in the Atlantic Ocean, which has the most extended mountain range globally.
- The currents in the ocean are warm and cold depending upon many factors: salinity, source of water, and variations in water density.
- More than a million species live below the water; we don’t even know them by name or characteristics. This is just an estimation as we have yet to determine the exact number.
