World Oceans Day 2012

World Oceans Day is our planet’s biggest celebration of the ocean and it is held every year on June 8th. This year, the theme is "Youth: the Next Wave for Change." Take part in World Oceans Day events and activities and help protect our oceans throughout the year. It’s up to each one of us to help ensure that our ocean is protected and conserved for future generations.

Some facts about the world's oceans:

Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
Helps feed us Regulates our climate
Cleans the water we drink
Offers us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines
Provides limitless inspiration

One of the greatest threats to oceans comes from acidification that is killing coral. These reefs are often called “rainforests of the sea”, they form some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Although they occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean surface, they provide a home for 25% of all marine species.

We need World Oceans Day because it allows us to:

Change perspective – encourage individuals 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, how our daily actions affect them, and how we are all interconnected.
Change our ways – we are all linked to, and through, the ocean.

Oceans are indispensable to all life on the planet. Whether you live inland or on the coast we are all connected to the ocean.

Take the time to think about: