World Ocean Day is not only a day to celebrate the beauty and wealth of oceans, but a chance to change our perspective and realize that they are a pivotal part of the biosphere.
Iran (IMNA) - The ocean has always been a vital part of all living organisms. Approximately 70 percent of the world is covered in a vibrant blue, from its depths life flows on the Earth and generously gives life to the Earth and all living creatures as well. Oceans are the lungs of the Earth as they generate most of the oxygen we breathe. In addition, they house an immense amount of life where the Earth’s life-giving water came from.
In this regard, World Ocean Day 2021 is marked on 8 June, on the theme of ‘life and livelihoods’. The concept of Ocean Day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008 and originally proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
World Ocean Day highlights the necessity to protect oceans from further deterioration, supports the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and also fosters public interest in the protection of the ocean and its resources. SDGs or global goals are a collection of 17 interlinked international goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and sustainable future for all.
In this respect, Sustainable Development Goals 14 is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Accordingly, this section is an extract from Sustainable Development 14:
The first seven targets are considered as “outcome targets”: Reduce marine pollution; protect and restore ecosystems; reduce ocean acidification; sustainable fishing; conserve coastal and marine areas; end subsidies contributing to overfishing; increase the economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources. Further, the following last three targets are regarded as means of achieving targets: To increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health; support small scale fishers and as a final means; to implement and enforce international sea law.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, the events of this year will be virtual and open to the public at https://oceanic.global/ , anchored by the theme of ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods’.
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