Today, June 8, is World Oceans Day. This year’s theme is “Our Oceans, Our Future,” and the theme couldn’t have come at a better time.
More than two-thirds of the world is made up of oceans. Oceans are teeming with life from the tiniest bits of plankton to gliding gray dolphins who can swim between 40-80 miles in one day. But oceans may not be full of our favorite majestic sea creatures for long.
Climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution are threatening the world’s oceans.
Fish and marine wildlife numbers have declined by 50% since the 1970s, the World Wildlife Fund reports.
Take Action: Help Protect the Oceans in the UK
Every year, enough garbage bags full of plastic end up in the ocean so that, if spread out, they could line all of the world’s coastlines five times over.
Global warming of ocean temperatures from human-induced climate change has impacted sea level as deep as 2,300 feet where most ocean life lives according to National Geographic magazine.
But there’s still hope and time to turn things around.
In 2015, the world put in place the Sustainable Development Goals and dedicated an entire goal to protecting oceans. And there’s evidence that we can rebuild from the damage that’s already been done.
“Where we protect marine areas around the world—from the tropics to temperate ecosystems—we see an increase in species diversity and productivity and stability and economic revenue from those ecosystems," Boris Worm, a marine biologist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, told National Geographic.
These ocean animals agree that it’s time to take action for the world’s oceans. Here are 17 animals who are ready for World Oceans Day.
Sea Turtles
These sea turtles are ready for a future with healthy oceans.
Dolphins
Leo DiCaprio wants to protect this critically endangered Vaquita dolphin.
Here are some spotted dolphins who are Leo DiCaprio fans. They think that you should use less plastic.
Fish
These coloful coral lovers want to wish you a Happy World Oceans Day!
Rays
This ray of sunshine is ready to celebrate too.
Sharks
This little guy is trying to stop overfishing all by himself.
Seals
Adorable baby seals love World Oceans Day.
Polar Bears
Wait, World Environment Day and World Oceans Day are the same week? That means polar bears are having the best week ever.
So let’s keep the Arctic ocean clean and icy for this little fellow.
Orca Whales
Captive breeding programs for Orcas are shutting down. Now, let’s clean up our oceans so these killer whales can thrive in the wild.
