World Oceans Day 2023: Problems oceans are facing and how we can help

We celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8 every year. The idea of celebrating this day was suggested first by the government of Canada in Rio de Janeiro at the Earth Summit in 1992. Every year, now, the day is celebrated in almost 120 countries in different ways including organizing special events at zoos, aquariums, river and beach clean-ups/ conservation programs, film festivals, school activities, and art contests.

As we know, 70% of the earth is covered by huge water bodies that continuously merge into each other to form seas and then pour into the oceans. To date, mankind has been able to explore only 5% f the depth of the ocean but the way it has been polluted with trash and plastic has badly impacted the flora and fauna thriving on the ocean floors.

Why oceans are so important?

Oceans are very important for your lives and the life of every living being on this planet. It is because life first started in the ocean and marine plants provide more than 70% of the oxygen that is so essential for life to sustain.

Ocean provides heat in the winter and coolness in the summer thereby controlling the climate. From medicines to a variety of foods, oceans offer us so many things in different ways. That is why it is very important that we take care of the oceans and keep them clean and free of toxicity.

What are the problems that oceans are facing?

Plastic pollution is the biggest problem that oceans are facing now. It can be addressed by avoiding the use of one-use plastic from plastic bags to plastic bottles.

Rise in temperature due to air pollution, reduction in green coverage on the earth, the release of harmful gases through industries and vehicles, and depletion of the ozone layer have resulted in extreme weather conditions which ultimately have put many marine organisms in the sea and ocean at risk.

As we gear up to celebrate #WorldOceansDay on June 8th, let's confront the harsh reality of plastic pollution and its devastating impact on marine life. pic.twitter.com/tNkCRo3RUC

— 4ocean (@4ocean) June 4, 2023

How can we help?

On World Ocean Day 2023, everyone can contribute to the cause in his own way by participating in river or beach clean-up activities, organizing a local event, or printing posters or pamphlets and circulating them in groups.

Forwarding insightful messages on digital platforms also can create awareness about this day and the problems that the oceans are facing.