On June 8, 2024, within the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences, we celebrate World Oceans Day, with the theme “Awaken new depths”.

The oceans are considered the lungs of the Earth. They provide about 50% of the planet’s oxygen and are responsible for a large part of the Earth’s biodiversity. Their waters cover more than 70% of its surface and are a source of life for humanity and all organisms on the planet. It guarantees proteins to more than one billion people in the world. On the economic side, it is a great source of work for related productive sectors. Around 40 million people will work in ocean-related activities by 2030.

There is little information about the oceans in relation to their enormous size and importance; only 10% of their size has been explored. However, they suffer the impact of human behavior, with the deterioration of their waters due to alarming plastic pollution and changes in temperature and acidity.

A change in the way we treat the oceans is urgent and an effort is made to learn more about the issue, generating commitments at all levels.

For these purposes, UNESCO highlights two events for this day:

First World Conference on Ocean Literacy, June 7-8 in Venice, Italy. Organized by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO), together with the Government of Italy, the municipality of Venice, and the Prada Group. It will feature international experts in ocean literacy and ocean education from different sectors.

Report on the State of the Ocean, aimed at decision-makers, stimulating research and political actions such as SDG14 of the 2030 Agenda, the agreements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Sendai Framework Convention for Disaster Risk Reduction.

SGK-PLANET invites everyone to participate in the activities that have been called globally for the date.

Aíxa Chacín
Director of SGK-PLANET