June 8th is celebrated as World Ocean Day. Covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean is the largest ecosystem on our planet and functions as a vital life support system for all living beings.
The idea of World Ocean Day was first proposed by Canada during the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It calls for collective action to protect and revitalize the ocean, shining a spotlight on communities, ideas, and solutions working together to safeguard this precious resource and everything it sustains.
The ocean is home to approximately 94% of all marine wildlife. Unfortunately, it is increasingly threatened by pollution. Marine debris harms animals through suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infections, and internal injuries. Moreover, floating plastics and other waste transport invasive species, posing serious threats to marine ecosystems.
Everything we use in our daily lives— the air we breathe, the water we drink, and many products—are linked to the ocean in some way. This is why ocean pollution is such a critical issue that demands urgent attention.
It is estimated that 50-80% of all life on Earth resides in the oceans, yet many people underestimate their importance to our environment. While deforestation raises concerns due to habitat loss for terrestrial animals, we must also consider the animals that live in our oceans. Their habitats need to be kept safe and clean as well.
Approximately two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans and seas, which serve as life sources for countless plants and animals. They play a crucial role in maintaining the chemical and biological balance necessary for life on the planet. However, pollution continues to threaten this balance.
Each year, an estimated 12,000 tonnes of lead, 17,000 tonnes of copper, 70,000 tonnes of zinc, 8,000 tonnes of arsenic, 900 tonnes of barium, 70,000 tonnes of manganese, 6,000 tonnes of chromium, 3,800 tonnes of antimony, 17,000 tonnes of iron, 7,000 tonnes of mercury, and 4,600 tonnes of tin are discharged into the seas without dilution.
Human activities continue to threaten the world’s oceans. Illegal international fishing practices are decimating fisheries. A massive garbage patch twice the size of Texas floats in the Pacific Ocean, a stark reminder of the waste we discard into our waterways. Additionally, rising carbon dioxide emissions increase ocean acidity, endangering coral reefs and marine life.
We can all contribute to ocean conservation by reducing plastic use, especially disposable items. Switching from single-use plastic bags to reusable ones, avoiding disposable cups, plates, cutlery, and bottles, and buying food and cleaning products in bulk can make a difference. Agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge also create low-oxygen “dead zones” in coastal waters, further threatening marine life.
Protecting our oceans is not a luxury; it is a necessity that sustains our economy, climate, and way of life. Let us work together to conserve our incredible marine resources for future generations.
