World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on 8 June to remind us of the important role of the oceans in sustaining our livelihoods and the necessity to prevent them from destruction. According to the United Nations (UN), oceans are the lungs of our planet and a major source of food and medicine, and a critical part of the biosphere. The day intends to highlight the various resources that mankind derives from the ocean, as well as the various threats that the ocean faces.
Theme
The theme for World Oceans Day this year is “Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean.”
History
The concept of World Oceans Day was first proposed by the UN in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It was suggested that a day be observed to raise awareness about the crucial role oceans play in our lives and ways in which people can help protect them. Since 2002, the World Ocean Network has built support for ocean awareness events on June 8 with the help of sponsorship from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. On December 5, 2008, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to designate this day.
