Friday, June 8 is World Oceans Day, opens a new window. Now's the time to celebrate the ocean and learn to care for it!
History
Since 2002, World Oceans Day has served as a day to appreciate and honor the ocean that connects everyone around the world. It's also a great opportunity to learn about ocean life, think about ways to protect the environment, and create community. World Oceans Day was originally proposed by Canada at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. In 2008, the United Nations, opens a new window designated June 8 as World Oceans Day.
What You Can Do
There are many ways to participate in World Oceans Day:
- Visit San Mateo County Beaches in Half Moon Bay, opens a new window and Pacifica, opens a new window.
- Check out Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch website, opens a new window to learn to make better choices for a healthy ocean.
- Teach the children in your life about the ocean. World Oceans Day resources, opens a new window help guide you as you speak with children about the importance of the ocean.
- Learn about plastic pollution, opens a new window and how it is affecting the ocean. Find out ways to reduce plastic use. Watch the documentaries Plastic Planet, opens a new window and Bag It, opens a new window to see how plastic bags end up in the ocean.
- Plan ahead to help at San Mateo County's Coastal and Bay Cleanup, opens a new window on Saturday, September 15, 2018. At 2017's Cleanup, 4,447 volunteers picked up 28,706 pounds of trash and recyclables.
- Get involved with the San Mateo County chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, opens a new window.
- Explore the Ocean Animal Encyclopedia, opens a new window and learn about the rich diversity of ocean life.
Favorite Ocean Books
And, because it's up to us to conserve the ocean for future generations, it's just as important to instill a love and respect for the oceans in kids. Use these nonfiction and picture books to spark excitement during your next storytime!
How will you be spending World Oceans Day? Let us know below.
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