“I urge governments and all stakeholders to commit to the conservation and sustainability of the oceans through innovation and science.”
– Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General. [1]

Oceans are the lung of the planet, and just like the human lung, if it gets hurt or collapses the entire body will collapse. Over the years, the oceans were depleted and polluted, affecting the safety of living organisms and the earth. Therefore, oceans are now in need of our support.

The Concept of World Oceans Day

The concept of World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. On 5 December 2008, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 8 as World Oceans Day.
This day is celebrated as a reminder of the importance of the oceans in our daily lives, to highlight the impact of human actions on oceans, and create a global movement to unite the peoples of the world on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans. [2]

The Importance of Oceans

The ocean covers more than 70% of the planet, therefore, it is home to most of Earth’s biodiversity and the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Oceans produce at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen and absorb about 30% of (CO2) produced by humans, mitigating the impacts of global warming. The oceans also regulate the climate and temperature, making the planet hospitable to diverse forms of life. [1]

In addition, oceans are key to the economy, with an estimated 40 million people being employed in ocean-based industries by 2030. [1]

World Oceans Day 2021

In 2017, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030; referred to as “the Ocean Decade”, to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the declines in the state of the ocean system while catalyzing new opportunities for sustainable ocean use. [1]

Therefore, last year’s theme: “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods”, is particularly important, as it marks the beginning of this decade, and aimed to strengthen international cooperation to develop scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society. [1]

World Oceans Day 2022

This year’s theme is: “Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean”. This is the first hybrid celebration of the annual event, hosted in-person at the UN Headquarters in New York and broadcast live. It will shed light on communities, ideas, and solutions that are working together to protect and revitalize the ocean and everything it sustains. [2]

Important Facts and Statistics

• 90% of big fish populations have been depleted, and 50% of coral reefs have been destroyed. [1]
• Around 90% of mangrove, seagrass, and marsh plant species are threatened with extinction. [1] ( Knowing that mangroves are tropical trees that thrive in conditions most trees cannot tolerate and have the ability to store large amounts of carbon, they are important for combating climate change and protecting our planet). 
• More than 30% of seabird species are also endangered. [1]
• While overfishing is estimated to have led to an annual loss of $88.9 billion in net benefits. [1]

Also read: World Food Safety Day.

How Can We Contribute to World Oceans Day

As individuals we can participate in many ways, for example, we can read and learn more about oceans and share the information with others. We can also consume food and purchase products that do not harm the environment; by following the so-called “Sustainable Living”; a lifestyle that reduces the individual and collective consumption of the natural resources of the Earth and minimize the damage caused by our actions. [3]

Moreover, UNESCO has officially launched the “GenOcean” campaign, the official communications campaign of the UN Ocean Decade, as a global movement to raise awareness, build knowledge and take actions to live better with the ocean.
UNESCO also noted that the campaign will revolutionize the way we think and act towards the ocean, building strength in unity and a collective approach to ocean protection and restoration based on the latest science. [1]

World Oceans Day Events and Activities

Several events are held to celebrate World Oceans Day, including:

1.  UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition: an opportunity for photographers to capture the beauty of the ocean and raise awareness around the world. [1]
2.  Ocean Decade-related events, such as: the Children Oceanic Pottery Project, the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference. [4]
3.  Virtual Dive into the Ocean: The Ocean Agency is inviting parents and their little ones to experience the ocean and its astounding life forms from the comfort of their homes through a little armchair travel. [1]

In conclusion, we would like to add that based on the principles of the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative, we believe that protecting and preserving our environment is the task of all, females and males, of any age and from any geographical area.
Any deterioration affecting the oceans, seas, the climate, or the environment, will reflect poorly on us in the first place. So let us protect and preserve our planet, even with the most basic of means.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] United Nations

[2] UNESCO

[3] Inspire Clean Energey

[4] United Nations Of Ocean Science