World Ocean's Day began June 8, 1992! Celebrate with us by checking out this month's research summaries and sustainability tips.
JUNE 6: RESEARCH SUMMARY - WHY WORLD OCEAN'S DAY
Why is it so important that we set aside a day to globally celebrate the ocean? Of course we love to take a moment to reminisce on our favorite underwater memories, give back to ocean cleanup and conservation efforts, and spend time outside and in the sea, but the biggest impact is felt on a global scale when we show those in charge how much we value and care about the ocean.
World Oceans Day wasn’t officially designated until 2008, so as a global celebration it is still fairly new. A similar environmental awareness day, Earth Day, was started in 1970 and since then it has galvanized thousands of people to show their support and has influenced the creation of the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Endangered Species Acts. Continuing to show up each year and celebrate World Oceans Day tells the world just how much we care about the blue heart of our planet. What are your plans for World Oceans Day this week?
JUNE 7: SUSTAINABILITY TIP - CELEBRATE OUR SEAS
Get involved for World Oceans Day tomorrow! Check out the interactive map of events around the world from @worldoceanday to find an event near you. If there isn’t an event in your area, you can sign up to watch the virtual United Nations World Oceans Day event. And of course, if you’re near the ocean make sure to spend some time in the water today remembering the joy it brings, and if you’re not near the ocean then step outside and take a few big, deep breaths - you can thank the ocean for every other breath.
Let us know what your World Oceans Day plans are this year!
JUNE 14: RESEARCH SUMMARY - ACIDITY RISING
As carbon dioxide increases in the air, so its levels also increase in the oceans. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 30% of the carbon we release ends up in the ocean. This increase in concentration of carbon inhibits the growth of many fish and shellfish, decreasing the amount of food and livelihood for millions of people. As ocean acidification worsens, we as a society will become poorer and hungrier. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
JUNE 16: SUSTAINABILITY TIP - COLD WASH ONLY
Looking for ways to reduce the amount of carbon you emit? Wash your clothes in cold water! This saves the energy that would be used to heat the water, and most clothes do well in cold water. You will save money, and you’ll be doing your part to #keeptheoceaneverblue
JUNE 24: RESEARCH SUMMARY - MARINE SCIENCE JEDIS
For most of history, the marine science world has been very exclusive, leaving out people belonging to LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC groups. However in 2020, conversations about these persisting inequalities finally gained enough traction to make waves (pun intended), creating actual change! At the Sixth International Marine Conservation Congress, the Diversity and Inclusion committee of the Society for Conservation Biology-Marine Section organized a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (aka, JEDI) focus group to increase diversity and promote underrepresented groups in marine science conservation. Loud, public actions like this create positive-feedback cycles- meaning they encourage more and more of this kind of inclusive action! Tune in tomorrow to read about how you can be part of this positive change.
JUNE 25: SUSTAINABILITY TIP - INCLUSIVE OCEANS
Want to support LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities? And marine science? And maybe even queer bipoc marine scientists??? Here’s a list of super rad accounts that are all run by super rad people belonging to the underrepresented groups we mentioned in yesterday’s post. Check them out, support their missions and research, and keep the positive wave of change going!