World Oceans Day

Happy World Oceans Day!

The idea for a World Ocean Day was originally conceived at the Global Forum in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 8th as the day for raising awareness of the benefits we humans receive from the oceans, and to use it as an opportunity to encourage people to learn more about how we can use its resources sustainably for future generations.

This year, United Nations World Oceans Day is being celebrated in Nice, France, ahead of the 20205 UN Ocean Conference (June 9-13 2025). This unique alignment of events aims to amplify visibility and collaborative efforts for our oceans.

The theme for this year is Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us. While the ocean seems an endless source of sustenance, potential, wisdom and awe, humanity has grown increasingly isolated from the natural world, and our oceans have suffered as a result.

From the marine life that produces our oxygen, medicines and food, to its natural infrastructures that sequester carbon and buffer shores, every element of the ocean supports humanity - but instead of caring for them, we have depleted our oceans, damaged their ecosystems and polluted on a heartbreaking scale.

This year's discussion topic, 'Defining Wonder', encourages us to think about the following:

• What personal experiences have inspired a sense of wonder about the ocean in your life?
• What marine life, oceanic processes or ecosystems inspire wonder? 
• What wonders of our ocean are at risk of being lost?
• How do different cultures express or honour our oceans?
• How can we create and foster a shared sense of wonder?
• How can you practice the act of wondering, both personally and to those around you?

Teaching others to think about what our oceans provide, and how we can protect them, is the goal, and scientists, governments and decision-makers the world over are encouraging everyone to consider what we can all do to allow our oceans to thrive.

To learn more, visit unworldoceansday.org.