When we think of public health risks, we may not think of the ocean as a factor. Increasingly, however, the health of the ocean is intimately tied to our health. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown is only making our waters cleaner, the skies bluer and the forests greener!
On June 8th we celebrate World Oceans Day, a day to recognize our relationship with the ocean through global connection and stewardship.
Ocean acidification. Plastic pollution. Overfishing. Sea level rise. When it comes to the challenges facing our ocean, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. As a frequent witness to these issues reminded that we are in desperate need of problem solvers and innovators who aren’t afraid to take bold action, and who aren’t encumbered by political or financial agendas.
WHY IS THE OCEAN IMPORTANT?
-Generates oxygen
-Regulates our climate
-Cleans the water we drink
-Inspires people globally
WHY CELEBRATE WORLD OCEANS DAY?
–Change mind-set – encourage people to think about what the ocean
means to them and what it has to offer all of us with hopes of
conserving it for present and the future generations.
–Learn – discover the wealth of diverse and beautiful ocean creatures
and habitats and how we are all interconnected.
–Change our ways – we are all linked to, and through, the ocean! By
taking care of your backyard and helping in your community, you are
acting as a caretaker of our ocean.
–Celebrate – whether you live inland or on the coast, we are all.
Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean, a theme at the centre of a big online event
As the challenges to the ocean continue to grow, so does the need for novel solutions and the people driving them.
To that end, the theme of UN World Oceans Day 2020 is ‘Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.” Innovation—relating to the introduction of new methods, ideas, or products—is a dynamic term, and one that is fundamentally filled with hope.
The UN World Oceans Day celebration this year will take place as a virtual event produced in partnership with Oceanic Global.
The event will shed light on innovations from around the globe in areas of need that are both promising and proven, ones that instill optimism, and ones that have demonstrated the ability to scale effectively. It will also provide a platform to thought leaders of varied backgrounds, who are paving new paths forward for the health of our ocean and our planet.
The programming of the day and subsequent events taking place throughout World Ocean Week (week of 8 June 2020) will explore innovations across categories including technology, systems infrastructure, resource management, consumer products, finance and scientific exploration — and will outline how these innovations can be applied, their potential impact, and the resources needed to transform them into long-lasting solutions.
This year’s theme is especially relevant in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which will run from 2021 to 2030. The Decade will strengthen international cooperation to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society.