World Oceans Day 2023

by time news

2023-06-06 23:46:41

World Oceans Day is celebrated every June 8 to recognize the importance that these have for all species, since they represent the main lung of the planet, are responsible for generating a large part of its oxygen and house most of the Earth’s biodiversity.

At the UN he organized a virtual event special to celebrate this year under the motto Ocean Planet: The Currents Are Changing. The initiative is part of the goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 of the UN dedicated to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The origins of the celebration and organizations involved in the cause

The General Assembly of the United Nations decided in 2008 designate June 8 as the world oceans dayaccording to his resolution 63/111. This initiative it was first proposed in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (COI) from UNESCO sponsors the World Ocean Networkwhich since January 2021 promotes the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)a convening framework for a wide range of stakeholders from around the world to engage and collaborate outside their traditional communities to support ocean scientific research and protection.

In addition to UNESCO, other United Nations agencies work on the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems to reduce negative impacts on them. He United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) deals with environmental issues, the FAO strengthens the governance and administrative and technical capacities of members in the conservation and use of aquatic resources, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) manages biodiversity and human development projects, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for the safety of maritime transport and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution caused by ships.

70% of the surface, 90% of the water, 50% of the earth’s oxygen and 40 million jobs

The oceans cover more than 70% of the surface of our planet, which makes them essential for the life and sustenance of humanity and all living things. In addition, they contain the 96% of all the water on Earth, the rest is fresh water found in the form of rivers, lakes and ice. A clear example of its importance lies in the fact that generate at least the 50% oxygen that we breathe and are capable of absorb almost 30% of carbon dioxide. They do this through marine phytoplankton, photosynthetic microorganisms, which carry out photosynthesis and release oxygen into the atmosphere.

In addition, they play a crucial role in our economy, since it is estimated that for the year 2030 there will be around 40 million jobs related to the oceans. On the one hand, the oceans are major pathways for maritime transport of goods globally. Ships transport a wide variety of goods, from manufactured goods to raw materials, and facilitate international trade. Seaports act as logistics hubs and generate employment and economic activity in the surrounding areas.

The oceans also provide fisheries and aquaculture resources that are essential for food security and the economy. Fisheries and marine aquaculture they are important industries that generate employment, income and exports in many countries. In addition, by-products of fishing, such as fish oil and marine collagen, are used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Finally, it should not be forgotten that coastal areas and marine ecosystems attract millions of tourists each year. He coastal and marine tourism includes activities such as diving, surfing, marine life observation and relaxation on the beach. These activities generate significant income for local communities and national economies, as well as employment in the hospitality, transport and tourism services sectors.

Biodiversity and source of protein for a billion people

The oceans are home to an astonishing biological diversity, with a wide variety of unique species and ecosystems:

  • Marine species: They are home to a large number of marine species, from microscopic organisms to marine mammals and huge creatures such as whales. It is estimated that there about 230,000 identified speciesbut experts believe that there are still many more to discover and that could be close to a million. According to the UN, about 90% of large marine fish species are depleted.
  • Coral reefs: They are incredibly diverse and colorful ecosystems. They house a variety of corals, fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other marine invertebrates. They are considered the “rainforests” of the ocean due to their biological richness and their importance as a habitat and food source for many species. Specifically, the Coral reefsalthough only They make up 1% of the seabed, home to more than 25% of marine lifeand they are in serious danger due to human action, which has already destroyed half of them.
  • coastal biodiversity: Coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, estuaries and marshesThey are also rich in biological diversity. A wide variety of species of plants, birds, fish, crustaceans, and other organisms adapted to living in areas where the ocean meets the land are found in these habitats.
  • deep sea life: The depths of the ocean are home to unique life forms adapted to extreme conditions, such as lack of sunlight and high pressure. Organisms like the deep-sea fish, giant squid and strange creatures like jellyfish and the bioluminescent organisms are examples of the fascinating biodiversity of the deep sea.
  • Migration and connectivity: The oceans are also important for the migration of species, such as whales, turtles and seabirds. These animals travel great distances across the oceans, connecting different habitats and contributing to the dispersal of nutrients and the conservation of biodiversity.

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