4 Uplifting Stories to Inspire you to Participate in Protecting our Ocean
World Ocean Day (8 June) catalyzes collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate. The concept of a 'World Oceans Day' was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a way to celebrate our world’s shared ocean and our personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help protect it (source).
To prepare for the occasion, we have compiled four uplifting ocean news stories that will inspire you to participate in safeguarding our ocean.
Credit: The Ocean Cleanup
1. The Ocean Cleanup Breaks 10,000,000 KG Barrier
The Ocean Cleanup, a global non-profit, has removed 10 million kilograms of trash from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and rivers across eight countries. This milestone was announced on Earth Day 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. They are now preparing to participate in international negotiations in Ottawa, Canada, for a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.
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Credit: Cinzia Osele Bismarck / Ocean Image Bank
2. Restored Coral Reefs Can Grow as Fast as Healthy Reefs
The research in Indonesia, led by Dr. Ines Lange from the University of Exeter and Dr. Tries Razak from BRIN, shows that coral reefs restored using "Reef Stars" can grow as quickly as healthy reefs within four years. The study focused on reefs damaged by blast fishing 30-40 years ago. The findings are detailed in the paper "Coral restoration can drive rapid reef carbonate budget recovery" in Current Biology.
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Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
3. Four New Octopus Species Discovered off Costa Rica
In the summer of 2023, a team led by Dr. Beth Orcutt and Dr. Jorge Cortés discovered four new octopus species during two expeditions off Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Their distinct way of nurturing their offspring near hot underwater vents is remarkable. Researchers gathered more than 300 deep-sea specimens in about 100 square miles.
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Credit: Michele Roux / Ocean Image Bank
4. More Whale Sightings in B.C.'s Waters
In 2023, nearly 800 individual humpback whales (double the figure in 2022) were spotted in sightings in British Columbia's Salish Sea. Bigg’s killer whales have also shown population growth. The increase in whale numbers is linked to efforts of stopping harmful whaling and capturing orcas.
As we mark these important breakthroughs, it's evident that when we work together, we can significantly protect our ocean and its biodiversity!
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Discover how your actions affect the health of the ocean
Explore our free online materials and workshops to understand the impact of plastic waste on marine environments. Our resources cater to at-home learning for all ages. Get involved and help protect our ocean today!
Written by Minh H Pham
