June 8th, World Oceans Day, was first introduced during the 1992 Earth Summit — the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The UN formally designated an annual World Oceans Day with a resolution on June 8, 2009. 

This year's theme, "Reimagine: Beyond The World We Know, A New Relationship With Our Ocean ", encourages us to move from passive inheritors of the ocean's generosity to active guardians of its future. To govern not just beyond our borders but beyond our blind spots, beyond the habits of taking, operating in silos, and the belief that the way things have been is the way they must remain. 

The oceans are our planet's lungs, supplying most of the oxygen we breathe. They comprise a large component of the biosphere, provide oxygen, life-saving medication, and food for all living things. They are a vital element of the ecosystem. 34% of the earth's surface is covered by the ocean. It comprises a wide variety of life forms, such as plants, animals, and other living beings. 

Finally, it is a day to celebrate the ocean's beauty, prosperity, and promise as a community. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is celebrating World Ocean Day as well as World Ocean Month in June. Watch a short video about the oceans and browse through the NOAA Resources to find over 340 ocean facts, how to preserve Coral Reefs, 50 ways to love the ocean, and saving whales. Watch a host of NOAA ocean videos. 

Watch a longer video for younger audiences and check out the teaching resources at Twinkl. 

Here are some water facts that might help you do your part to protect the oceans: 

  • Approximately 500 million plastic straws are used and disposed of in the U.S. every day. That's enough to fill 127 school buses. Skip the straw. 
  • Americans use an estimated 100 billion plastic bags each year. Floating in the ocean, these bags are often mistaken for jellyfish by unassuming sea turtles and other marine species. Skip the plastic bag. Use reusable and/or cloth bags. 
  • Only 2.5 percent of our planet's water is freshwater, while a staggering 97.5 percent is saltwater. Be careful what you put down the drain. Don't dispose of medicines, or toxic substances in your sink or tub. 
  • A bathroom faucet runs at approximately two gallons of water per minute. Don't let the faucet run while brushing your teeth or rinsing dishes. Take shorter showers. 
  • It takes an estimated 1,850 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef. Add meatless meals to your menu.