Compiled by Meredith Miller Vostrejs
The United Nations World Ocean Day is June 8. This year's theme is Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean.
Covering 71% of the earth’s surface, the ocean is vital to human and planetary health. Did you know that the ocean is a massive carbon sink, and has been protecting us from climate change? The ocean plays a central role in regulating the Earth’s climate. The ocean and coasts provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon storage, oxygen generation, food and income generation.
Yet human activity and increases in CO2 and greenhouse gases are negatively impacting the ocean – with grave consequences for sea life, coastal communities, and ecosystems. Over 40% of the world’s population depend on the ocean for food and their livelihoods, including many of the communities and countries RPCVs served in.
What can you do to protect our oceans?
- Be a climate voter.
- Eat sustainable seafood.
- Reduce use of plastics.
- Reduce your carbon footprint.
- Travel responsibly.
- Use eco-friendly products.
- Advocate to protect wildlife and fund ocean research.
- Organize a beach clean-up.
You + me = collective action. Act in honor of World Ocean Day, and the communities who depend on it.