World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day was officially declared by the United Nations as June 8th each year beginning in 2009. The concept was proposed on 8 June 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as it had been unofficially celebrated every year since then as World Ocean Day.
World Oceans Day is an opportunity every year to honor the world’s ocean, celebrate the products the ocean provides, such as seafood, as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets, and also a time to appreciate its own intrinsic value. The ocean also provides sea-lanes for international trade.
The Ocean Project, working in partnership with the World Ocean Network, has been promoting WOD since 2003 with its network of over 900 organizations and others throughout the world. These groups have been working to build greater awareness of the crucial role of the ocean in our lives and the important ways people can help. World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to get directly involved in protecting our future, through a new mindset and personal and community action and involvement – beach cleanups, educational programs, art contests, film festivals, sustainable seafood events, and other planned activities help to raise consciousness of how our lives depend on the oceans.
Here in Orlando, Disney has announced that Epcot guests can join in several free, fun and educational activities. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today, families can visit The Seas with Nemo & Friends to learn how coral reefs form, what wildlife live there and the threats coral reefs face.
Guests who are more interested in the sea creatures can find out what whales eat and how they procure their food. They also can participate in “Sea Turtle Flop,” a game that illustrates the major threats to sea turtles — predators, pollution, beach obstacles and artificial lighting.
Perhaps most importantly, families can see how personal changes to reduce waste, save water and keep it clean, and protect wildlife affect the planet’s oceans.
In addition, Disney is marking the first anniversary of its Friends for Change: Project Green environmental program with new content on Disney Channel, Radio Disney and its website. Kids will again have the opportunity to vote on how another $1 million in grants will support environmental causes during the upcoming year.
