As we celebrate World Oceans Day, it's high time to turn our attention to our planet's vast, mysterious, and incredibly vital oceans. In keeping with our commitment to sustainability here at Brush Club, we're excited to dive into a comprehensive exploration of World Oceans Day. This blog will explore why we celebrate this day, some fascinating ocean facts, and how you can actively participate in safeguarding our oceans.
Why Celebrate World Oceans Day?
The roots of World Oceans Day can be traced back to the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, but it wasn't until 2008 that the United Nations officially recognized it[]. We observe World Oceans Day annually on June 8th to honor, protect, and conserve our shared ocean.
Oceans, often regarded as the "heart" of our planet, are critical for our survival. They regulate climate, provide food and livelihood, support a diverse array of life forms, and absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans[], serving as a buffer against global warming. However, despite their crucial role, our oceans are under threat from various sources, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change, which World Oceans Day endeavors to highlight and combat.
The Seven Oceans of the World
Our planet is covered by more than 70% water, encompassing seven major oceans: the Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic, and the largest of them all, the Pacific Ocean[]. These vast bodies of water don't exist in isolation; they form an interconnected global ecosystem that's fundamental to life as we know it.
World Oceans Day for Our Youngest Eco-Warriors
It's important to include children in our World Oceans Day discussions. Explaining World Oceans Day to children can be an engaging and enlightening experience.
Imagine telling them a story about Earth's big, blue heart that beats with the tides, feeds us, gives us the air we breathe, and houses an array of amazing creatures. This heart, however, needs our help to stay healthy. Hence, we dedicate a special day to think about it, cherish it, and take actions to protect it.
Celebrating World Oceans Day
How can we observe World Oceans Day? There are countless ways to get involved, and every action, big or small, counts. You could participate in or organize a local beach cleanup, educate others about the importance of our oceans, or make lifestyle changes towards more sustainable habits.
One of the most impactful actions we can take is reducing our plastic consumption. An estimated 2 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year[]. As part of our commitment to combating this issue, Brush Club offers eco-friendly products, like our bamboo toothbrushes, that provide a sustainable alternative to traditional, often non-recyclable, plastic toothbrushes.
The United Nations World Oceans Day
In addition to local events and personal initiatives, the United Nations hosts an annual World Oceans Day virtual event[]. This global celebration includes conversations about innovative solutions to protect our oceans and features a wealth of knowledge from leading ocean experts.
Brush Club's Pledge and Impact
At Brush Club, we're deeply committed to the wellbeing of our planet, and every small effort counts. This belief has fueled our mission to drastically reduce the amount of plastic waste entering our oceans and landfills. For every member that joins Brush Club, we can prevent on average, four plastic toothbrushes from ending up in our seas each year.
But it's the power of our collective effort that truly amplifies the impact. Every member that chooses Brush Club contributes to a growing wave of change. Let's take a look at the collective impact we can have:
Our strength lies not just in our individual choices but in our shared commitment to create a better future. It's the beauty of unity and community, where each action, when multiplied, can drive significant change. Each member of Brush Club is an integral part of this positive ripple effect. By joining our mission, you’re making a clear statement that the health of our oceans matters to you, and that you're part of a community who is choosing a sustainable path.
As we come together under a common goal, we can tip the scale towards a more sustainable and cleaner world. Remember, every single member counts, every single choice matters, and together, we can make a world of difference.
World Oceans Day is more than just a celebration; it's a global call to action. Our oceans' health is our health, and their future is our future. So this World Oceans Day, let's come together to appreciate our oceans and actively work towards their conservation. We'd love to hear your thoughts on World Oceans Day, or any actions you're taking to help protect our oceans. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
References & Footnotes
- United Nations. (2022). World Oceans Day. Retrieved from un.org ↩
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2022). How much carbon dioxide can the ocean absorb?. Retrieved from noaa.gov ↩
- National Geographic. (2022). Ocean Facts. Retrieved from nationalgeographic.com ↩
- The Ocean Cleanup. (2022). The plastic in our ocean. Retrieved from theoceancleanup.com ↩
- World Oceans Day. (2022). World Oceans Day Online Portal. Retrieved from worldoceansday.org ↩