June 8, 2012
By Mera McGrew
Today is World Oceans Day — a day to celebrate and honor the oceans that connect us and provide us life. Oceans cover 71 percent of Earth’s surface and makes up 99 percent of the planet’s living space. The ocean is the blue heart of our planet. It plays an essential role in all life on earth, home to 97 percent of all life in the world. The ocean is also the lungs of our planet as it supplies the oxygen we take in every second breath. The ocean drives climate and weather and it also stabilizes temperature and shapes the Earth’s chemistry.
This year’s World Oceans Day falls at a crucial time as ocean advocates across the world seek to ensure that 2012 is a milestone year for the ocean.
This year’s World Ocean Day falls just days before the official start of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) being held in Rio de Janeiro from June 20-22. At the conference, world leaders and stakeholders are poised to discuss a number of critical issues facing the world’s ocean. “Rio+20 must mobilize the United Nations, governments and other partners to improve the management and conservation of oceans through initiatives,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a prepared statement.
In addition, this year’s World Oceans Day comes as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea celebrates its thirtieth anniversary. The international agreement, which was first adopted in 1982, defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world’s ocean and maritime resources. To date, 162 countries (plus the European Union) have signed it. “There could be no more fitting way to commemorate World Oceans Day than for all the countries that have not yet done so to ratify the Convention of the Law of the Sea,” said Secretary-General Ban.
As the global community celebrates World’s Oceans Day we are reminded of the issues being faced by oceans.. Bringing the ocean community together for Rio+20 and pushing for the ratification of the Convention of the Law of the Sea will help ensure a sustainable future for oceans.
In a statement Dr. Sylvia Earle explained: “There is time, but not a lot, to take action and ensure the safeguarding of Earth’s precious ocean ecosystems.” Today, let’s celebrate the beauty, power, and fragility of the world’s ocean. Then, let’s do it again tomorrow. Let’s make 2012 a year of great achievement for the future of the world’s oceans.