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| View of the area around Ny-Ålesund, located on Svalbard, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe. UN Photo/Mark Garten |
The ocean is the heart of our planet. Like your heart pumping blood to
every part of your body, the ocean connects people across the Earth, no matter
where we live. The ocean regulates the climate, feeds millions of people every
year, produces oxygen, is the home to an incredible array of wildlife, provides
us with important medicines, and so much more! In order to ensure the health
and safety of our communities and future generations, it’s imperative that we
take the responsibility to care for the ocean as it cares for us.
This year, the theme is Healthy oceans, healthy planet. Unfortunately,
human pressures, including overexploitation, illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing, destructive fishing, as well as unsustainable aquaculture
practices, marine pollution, habitat destruction, alien species, climate change
and ocean acidification are taking a significant toll on the world’s oceans and
seas. The United Nations will celebrate World Oceans Day 2015 and recognize the winners of the Annual World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition at an event on 8 June 2015 at the United Nations Headquarters.
Why do we
celebrate World Oceans Day?
