Archive
June 8 is World Oceans Day
The following is a guest post from WorldOceansDay.org. This is an important event and deserves our attention so I am reposting it on Earthgauge.
World Oceans Day, the UN-designated day for the global community to celebrate and take action for our shared ocean. This year, take a moment to make change on two little-known but all-important issues: global warming and ocean acidification.
Carbon emissions from human activity are changing the Earth’s climate, leading to rising sea levels, and contributing to more frequent and intense extreme weather events that directly threaten every one of us–no matter whether we live along the coast or far inland. Recent public surveys show that ocean acidification is not yet well known but it’s an issue that will become much more prominent, and, fortunately, you can help make a real difference!
Green Power
Use cleaner and healthier alternatives to fossil fuels and advocate for more! Buying green energy for your home is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon emissions. You can find some resources on Global Energy Network Institute. If you live in the US, check the EPA’s Green Power Partnership.
Commute wisely
Get out your bike or buy a used one, take public transportation more regularly, try car sharing, seek carpooling partners, or consider telecommuting on the phone or video service such as Skype. Every time you skip the car for one of these alternatives, you help our ocean!
Buy less stuff
Think before you buy and ask whether you really need something, or if you can get it used. Not only will you be helping the ocean but also the fun new hobby of thrifting is a great form of self expression, especially when it comes to things like clothing or home goods, where a vintage item can have more personality and quality than buying new at a store. If you’re in the US, you can click here to find a thrift store near you!
Encourage local government leadership!
Get your mayor to commit to helping by signing on to a coalition for the protection of the climate (e.g. Cities for Climate Protection Campaign or Mayors for Climate Protection). Many national governments are failing to take adequate action in a timely fashion, so we can each help at the local level to make the push for a safer, healthier blue planet. Plus, the more we do on the local front, the easier it becomes for national and global action with real “teeth” to make a difference in our lifetimes!
Vote with your dollars
Support socially responsible companies, and do your research to make sure it’s not just green washing or mere lip service to environmental protection. You can use websites like EthicalConsumer.org to check out companies and products. Check a corporation’s reputation against multiple websites and make the best choice!
There are hundreds of events being held all over the world, find one near you and celebrate with a purpose this World Oceans Day! You can also go the extra mile and organize an event yourself using ideas and free materials provided at WorldOceansDay.org!
June 8 is World Oceans Day
In June 2008, the United Nations designated June 8 as World Oceans Day. The world’s oceans account for roughly 
70% of the Earth’s surface and they are in peril with threats ranging from depleted fisheries, dying coral reefs, marine pollution, ocean acidification and climate change.
Courtesy of the Living Oceans Society, here are 5 simple things you can do to celebrate and help our oceans:
- Get informed about ecosystem threats and ocean conservation
- Conserve water. Canadians use 4 times as much water per year as the average person in Sweden. Reduce your use of water and show the Swedes we can take care of our rivers and lakes too.
- Use organic vegetables and all-natural cleaning products. The pesticides and fertilizers we use on our fields and everything we put down the sink eventually end up in the ocean.
- Avoid plastic water bottles, plastic bags, plastic anything! The ocean is full of plastic garbage. Be part of the global effort to clean the ocean but using less plastic.
- Walk outside and take a deep breath of fresh air. Every second breath you take contains oxygen made by the ocean.
