Join a Celebration of the Big Blue on World Oceans Day!

World Oceans Day was first introduced by Canadian Elisabeth Mann Borgese at the United Nations Earths Summit in 1992. In 2008, the United Nations officially declared June 8th as World Oceans Day. However, it had been celebrated in Halifax for more than 15 years before that. The first Oceans Day was organized in 1992 by Borgese and her community and was hosted by the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. People of all ages came together to celebrate and recognize the critical importance of our oceans. This year, the free celebrations are again being hosted June 8th at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. Join Green Schools NS as we celebrate our precious planet and help folks understand how we can make everyday choices that reduce human impacts on our environment, including the ocean.

The goal of this global day has been to inform the public of the human impacts on the ocean and to develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the protection of the ocean. World Oceans Day has grown to be celebrated in over 100 countries. In 2017, there were more than 1000 events hosted around the world in recognition of this day. 

The theme for 2018 is End Plastic Pollution. Every year, “8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean, wreaking havoc on wildlife, fisheries, and tourism. Plastic pollution costs the lives of 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals per year. Plastic also causes $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems each year” (United Nations, 2018). That means we can make a world of difference when we go plastic-free!

Our province has approximately 13,300 kilometres of coastline which means this day is really important to Nova Scotians: we see and interact with the ocean almost daily! All are welcome to use the Green Schools NS Ocean Issues Slideshow to start a conversation in your classroom or community. You could build a model watershed to discuss how all waterways lead to the ocean. Check out our Ocean Plastics Support Package for more information and ideas. If you’re celebrating with a trip to the beach, you may want to check the to do list in the Beach Activities Support Package, too!

World Oceans Day has grown to be recognized as Oceans Week in the Halifax area. This year it is being celebrated from June 1st-10th. There are a variety of events happening throughout the region tailored to various interests and ages. You can find Green Schools NS at The Ocean + You event taking place at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on June 8th. This free event will allow participants to explore and learn all the ways we interact with the ocean. Green Schools NS will be there to help demonstrate how our energy choices have an effect beyond the environment around us and also impact the ocean. When we waste less energy, we are helping an Earth that is covered in oceans! 

~Amber McMunn
Engagement Officer, HRM

Photo credit:

Healthy planet: https://www.moodygardens.com/wod/

Cartoon whale: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/event/world_oceans_day_2

World Oceans Day: http://www.oceannetworks.ca/come-celebrate-world-oceans-day-2015-us