Excessively warm ocean or sea water leads to coral bleaching. Coral bleaching happens when corals lose their vibrant colours and turn white. Due to high temperatures, algae leaves the coral, causing it to fade and look bleached. If the temperature stays high, the coral won’t let the algae back, and the coral will die. One of the main causes of coral bleaching is climate change.
In March 2024, the Australian Government said that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is experiencing yet another mass coral bleaching event due to heat. This is the fifth time in eight years that the Great Barrier Reef has experienced a mass bleaching event. This means that sections of colourful corals turn pale and grey.
Climate change causes the temperature of the world’s oceans to rise which leads to bleaching. Bleaching does not kill coral but makes them vulnerable to disease and starvation. Even though it is possible for corals to recover from mass bleaching events, frequent bleaching makes it harder for coral reefs. to bounce back. According to scientific studies, climate change is increasing ocean temperatures, making coral bleaching events more frequent.
Did You Know?
The Great Barrier Reef is an important ecosystem for marine life and it stretches for 2,300 km off the coast of Queensland. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site
Can Underwater Music Save Coral Reefs?
Almost a quarter of all marine species live in coral reefs. However, since the 1950s more than half of the world’s coral reefs have died mainly because of pollution and climate change. Recently, a team of scientists working off the coast of the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean have hopefully found a solution to revive coral reefs.
highschool.latimes.com
A healthy coral reef makes a lot of noise like clicking, grunting, and scratching under the water, because of all the wildlife that live there. They’ve been testing whether playing sounds of a healthy coral under the water could help bring damaged coral reefs back to life. They found that baby corals (known as coral larvae) were seven times more likely to settle on damaged reefs when they heard recorded sounds of a healthy reef. And this could help damaged reefs. recover! This method was successfully tested by the researchers in the Caribbean. So this could be a new way to protect the coral reefs.
World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on June 8 and the main objective of the day is to focus on and create awareness about ocean conservation. World Oceans Day serves as a reminder to everyone about the major role the oceans have in our everyday life. The world’s oceans, their temperature, currents and marine life, drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the ocean. Throughout history, oceans and seas have also been vital for trade and transportation. Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.
The concept of a ‘World Oceans Day’ was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help protect it. In 2008, led by Canada, the United Nations General Assembly resolved that June 8 would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day”. The theme of the inaugural World Oceans Day in 2009 was ‘Our Oceans, Our Responsibility’. The theme for World Oceans Day 2024 is ‘Awaken New Depths.
What was the Earth Summit?
In 1992, more than 100 heads of state met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the first international Earth Summit convened to address urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development.
bbc.com
Oceans And The Threats They Face
Our modern habits and the use of many kinds of technologies have a devastating impact on the oceans and on the marine ecosystems and life in general.
Overfishing
Climate Change
Plastic Pollution
Did You Know?
World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 to encourage global action to protect the environment. It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and has been held annually since 1973. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host World Environment Day 2024 with a focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
How Can We Save The Oceans?
The time has come to take action and safeguard the ocean. We can all do our bit by taking small steps. We can:
Conserve Water
Shop Responsibly
Reduce Pollutants
Use Less Energy
Fish Responsibly
Reduce Waste
Reduce Vehicle Pollution
Some Important Facts About Oceans:
Did you know that the Earth has one global ocean? Oceanographers and nations have divided it into five different geographical regions – the Pacific, the Atlantic, India, Arctic, and Southern.
The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen.
Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, reducing the impacts of global warming.
Oceans play an important role in influencing and regulating the climate on the Earth.
Oceans are a major source of food and medicine.
The ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. It also holds about 96.5% of all Earth’s water.
Ocean is home to 94% of life on Earth. However, the exact number of species that live in the ocean is unknown.
The sea is home to the world’s largest living structure – the Great Barrier Reef. It is 2,600km long and can be seen from the Moon.
The ocean is very important for our economy. It is estimated that 40 million people will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
World Oceans Day is an annual event celebrated on June 8th, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the importance of our oceans. It serves as a reminder of the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth and the need to protect and preserve these fragile ecosystems. In this article, we will delve into the origins and history of World Oceans Day, explore the 2023 theme, and discover how individuals and communities worldwide can contribute to the conservation of our blue planet.
The concept of World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 during the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The objective was to designate a day for celebrating and highlighting the significance of the world’s oceans. However, it wasn’t until 2002 that the Canadian government, along with the International Ocean Institute, officially recognized June 8th as World Oceans Day.
newsweek.com
Since then, World Oceans Day has gained global recognition and serves as a platform for various organizations, communities, and individuals to come together and take action to protect our oceans. The United Nations officially declared June 8th as World Oceans Day in 2008, further amplifying its significance and reach.
World Oceans Day 2023 Theme:
The theme for World Oceans Day in 2023 is “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing.” This theme, adopted by the United Nations, aims to emphasize the critical role that oceans play in sustaining life on Earth and the urgent need to prioritize their preservation.
The choice of this theme underscores the significance of our oceans and the need to address the challenges they face. By highlighting the changing tides, the theme symbolizes the need for positive and transformative action to protect and restore the health of our oceans.
World Oceans Day serves as a global platform for various conferences, seminars, and discussions centered around ocean conservation. Participants from around the world gather to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and collaborate on initiatives aimed at safeguarding the oceans.
The theme “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing” conveys the message that the oceans are vital to our existence and deserve our utmost attention and care. It calls for a collective effort to reverse the negative impacts of human activities, such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction, and promote sustainable practices that ensure the long-term well-being of our oceans.
By embracing this theme, World Oceans Day 2023 aims to inspire individuals, communities, and nations to take meaningful action and make positive changes in their daily lives to protect and preserve our precious oceans. Together, we can create a sustainable future where the tides of change bring forth a healthier and thriving planet ocean.
World Oceans Day Date and Global Celebrations:
World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on June 8th. On this day, people around the world organize and participate in various activities to raise awareness and engage in ocean conservation efforts. These activities include beach cleanups, educational events, art exhibits, film screenings, and sustainable seafood initiatives, among others.
Many organizations, both local and international, host events and campaigns leading up to and on World Oceans Day. Social media platforms are abuzz with hashtags such as #WorldOceansDay and #ProtectOurOceans, facilitating global conversations and encouraging people to share their personal stories and actions for ocean conservation.
aquariumofpacific.org
Why We Celebrate World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a global celebration with a crucial purpose. This annual event provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide to come together and recognize the immense importance of our oceans. In this article, we will explore the reasons why we celebrate World Oceans Day and shed light on the significance of this international observance.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
Raising Awareness:
One of the primary reasons for celebrating World Oceans Day is to raise awareness about the critical role that oceans play in our lives and the health of the planet. Oceans are often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” because they produce a significant amount of the oxygen we breathe. They also regulate the climate, absorb carbon dioxide, and provide a habitat for an incredible diversity of marine life.
theguardian.com
Promoting Ocean Conservation:
World Oceans Day serves as a platform to promote and encourage ocean conservation efforts. It highlights the need for sustainable practices to protect and preserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Through awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and community events, World Oceans Day inspires individuals to take action and make a positive impact on the health of our oceans.
mymodernmet.com
Addressing Environmental Challenges:
Celebrating World Oceans Day allows us to address pressing environmental challenges that our oceans face. Issues such as marine pollution, plastic waste, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change impacts are brought to the forefront. By increasing awareness and understanding of these challenges, we can work towards finding solutions and implementing sustainable practices to mitigate their effects.
Fostering Global Collaboration:
World Oceans Day encourages global collaboration and partnerships among governments, organizations, communities, and individuals. It provides a platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources to address common ocean-related concerns. By working together, we can create a collective impact and implement effective strategies for the sustainable management of our oceans.
naetaze.com
Inspiring Personal Action:
World Oceans Day motivates individuals to take personal responsibility for the well-being of our oceans. It empowers people to make conscious choices in their daily lives that contribute to ocean conservation, such as reducing plastic consumption, supporting sustainable seafood options, and participating in beach cleanups. Small actions can have a significant ripple effect when multiplied by millions of individuals worldwide.
