Did you know that the oceans cover 71% of the surface of our blue planet and hold 97% of our water?

 

 

In 1992, Canada proposed the idea for a World Oceans Day at the Earth Day Summit, and in 2008, the United Nations recognized it as an official day.  The day is designed to raise awareness and education that helps protects our oceans from harmful plastics and pollutants.

 

In 2016, the Youth Advisory Council was launched and is made up of young people from around the world from places like Portugal, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Chile, the United States and many more counties.  On the World Oceans Day Youth Advisory Council website, it states: "our goal is to be a global network of leaders that help shape our vision and actions for a better future with a healthier ocean that sustains us all."  These young people are our future; and at GayTravel, we are proud of their great efforts and applaud them for the example they set for future generations to come.

 

In 2018, Jack Johnson, singer and songwriter, who's long been an advocate for our oceans, shined a light on the issues of plastics in our oceans and the harm to marine life with the release of a short documentary called "The Smog of the Sea".  Jack and Kim Johnson, founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation as well as the Johnson Ohana Foundation to support environmental education in Hawaii’s schools and communities and worldwide.

 

In 2019, over 2,000 events worldwide were celebrated in over 140 countries.

 

Today, the goals are set even higher. With more awareness and education comes more protection and conservation efforts for our oceans and its marine life.  To learn more about ocean pollution, here are 60+ Facts About Plastic Pollution in our World and Oceans that you cannot ignore!

 

Video Photo credits include: Kira Laktionov, Keith Luke, Jeremy Bishop, Zach Ahmajani, Matt Hardy, Sean O, Yale Cohen. Rod Long, and Sam Goodgame