World Oceans Day is held on 8 June. Established on 8 June 1992 during the environmental summit in Rio de Janeiro and recognised in 2008 by the United Nations too, its purpose is to underline the importance of this inestimable shared heritage, covering 71% of our planet. Oceans, in fact, regulate the climate, provide sustenance to millions of people every year, produce most of the oxygen we breathe, are home to an incredible amount of biodiversity, provide us with important drugs and much more!
The theme of World Oceans Day 2023 is 'Tides are Changing' (Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean), a slogan that aims to emphasise the need for global action to protect the basic element of life: water.
Oceans, the UN recalls, 'cover most of the earth, but only a small part of their waters has been explored. Despite humanity's total dependence on them and compared to the breadth and depth of what they offer us, oceans receive only a fragment of our attention and resources in return'. But, states the UN webpage dedicated to the Day, 'the tides are changing, and to mark this Day and the 2023 theme, Planet Ocean, the United Nations is joining forces with policy makers, scientists, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, indigenous communities, celebrities and young activists to put oceans first'.
To find out more about the World Oceans Day click here.
