One ocean, One climate, One future

The following is an excerpt from http://www.theoceanproject.org/wod/wod_theme.php



We live on a blue planet, dominated by the ocean which covers 70% of its surface. The world’s ocean and climate are inextricably linked: the ocean plays a crucial role in maintaining the Earth's climate, and ocean life is vulnerable to climate change. Likewise, in our interconnected world, the ocean affects us and we affect the ocean. A healthy ocean helps to absorb excess carbon dioxide, provides jobs and food to people the world over, and regulates climate and temperature.

Our ocean is not as healthy as it could be. As human activity – largely through burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agricultural practices – produces growing amounts of carbon dioxide, the ocean absorbs much of it, but its waters are approaching the saturation point. As a result, ocean waters are warming and acidifying, altering the chemistry of the ocean to the point that some marine animals and corals now find it difficult to form their calcium carbonate shells. Due to climate change and its cascading effects, invasive species and diseases are spreading into new areas, marine mammals such as blue whales face decreased food supplies, polar bears struggle to survive due to melting sea ice, and salmon populations are disappearing from their historical ranges. Sea level is rising worldwide, threatening coastal communities, particularly low-lying islands such as North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean. Remaining coastal regions will likely have to adjust to more frequent and violent storms, coastal surges, and other dangerous deviations from typical weather patterns.

While many people remain largely unaware of the key connections between a healthy ocean, a healthy climate, and our future, momentum is growing and positive changes are taking place. Increasing numbers of people are calling on their governments to take action on the climate crisis. A movement is growing.

Whether we live at the ocean's edge or far inland, our fate is tied to the future health of our shared world ocean, and we must face the question of the ocean legacy we leave for future generations. Will our favorite beaches disappear under rising sea levels? Will the colorful and diverse coral reefs of the world fade away, destroying forever their potential for yielding new medicines and sources of valuable protein? Or will we work together, doing all we can to conserve our ”blue backyard”, so that future generations can also enjoy a healthy, living ocean?

How celebrating World Oceans Day can help:

World Oceans Day 2009 is a powerful opportunity to bring local and global attention to the impact climate change is having on the ocean, what that impact will mean for ocean and human life, and how we can all make simple, important changes to reduce our CO2 emissions, halt climate change, and preserve our children's ocean legacy. Helping make others more aware of the importance of the ocean in our lives, the opportunities each of us has to help through our daily actions, and by joining with people all over the world in celebrating World Oceans Day, we can make a real difference for our one one ocean, one climate, and one future!

Ways to take personal action now:

• Forward this information to your friends and family – spreading the word is one of the most important things you can do right now.
• Check out the World Oceans Day action poster for simple things you can do to cut your CO2 emissions and celebrate the ocean.
• Plan a World Oceans Day event or participate in one near you.
• Use the World Oceans Day media and outreach kit to help spread the word about climate change and the ocean.
• Let us share your success stories with the world – send us information about how you or your group are helping to make a real difference!

Ways to take personal action now:

• Forward this information to your friends and family – spreading the word is one of the most important things you can do right now.
• Check out the World Oceans Day action poster for simple things you can do to cut your CO2 emissions and celebrate the ocean.
• Plan a World Oceans Day event or participate in one near you.
• Use the World Oceans Day media and outreach kit to help spread the word about climate change and the ocean.
• Let us share your success stories with the world – send us information about how you or your group are helping to make a real difference!

Learn more:

• Browse our collection of some of the best aquatic and ocean conservation websites.
• Visit the Ocean Book of the Month.
• Subscribe to Blue Planet News to Use, our seasonal e-newsletter.