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In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that, as from 2009, 8 June would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day” (resolution 63/111, paragraph 171). Many countries have celebrated World Oceans Day following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. 

The oceans are essential to food security and the health and survival of all life, power our climate and are a critical part of the biosphere. The official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.

According to the UN, oceans are “the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe, [as well as] a major source of food and medicines and a critical part of the biosphere.”

In the past few decades, the threats from pollution, overfishing and other forms of exploitation to marine habitats have increased dramatically.

The World Oceans Day 2013 & 2014 theme is: Together we have the power to protect the ocean.

For World Oceans Day 2013, the organizers are also asking people around the world to make a promise for the oceans. People can promise to change one thing in their lives that will help protect the ocean, and then upload a photo of them with their promise to social media- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, or Pinterest, making sure to mention #WorldOceansDay.