World Ocean Day takes place annually on 8 June. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Ocean Project started global coordination of World Ocean Day in 2002 and was recognised by the United Nations in 2008.
Currently the world faces one of the greatest threats ever: the climate crisis. A healthy ocean is needed for a healthy climate, and vice versa, and significantly stronger local, national, and international action from both governments and corporate leaders is needed. National legislators and corporate leaders must follow through on their promises specifically by:
- making the best use of all existing climate solutions;
- accelerating a just transition to clean and renewable energy;
- stopping fossil fuel extraction, including oil, gas and coal;
- rapidly and equitably phasing out its existing production including for single use plastics;
- collaborating with and amplifying the voices of local leaders who are working to implement action within their communities;
- protecting and restoring natural coastal and ocean ecosystems (and on land) by creating strongly protected areas covering at least 30% of lands and waters by 2030;
- continuing to create more solutions at the local, national and international levels that are based on the best science.
World Ocean Day supports the implementation of worldwide Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fosters public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources. By collaborating in transformative ways, a healthier and more abundant future for all can be created.
To access case studies on environment and climate initiatives, you can search the use platform database by topics: Environment, Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation or SDG 13.