On June 8, citizens across the globe celebrated World Oceans Day 2019, an annual occasion celebrating the ocean and highlighting the dedication of citizens committed to protecting it. Last Saturday, the Surfrider Europe community joined thousands of other volunteers from NGOs around the world who mobilized to protect and preserve their environment. Many events were organized to raise public awareness around ocean protection including marches, beach collections and art performances. World Ocean Day is a special opportunity for Surfrider Europe to thank all those people who give their time and energy on a daily basis to defend our aquatic playgrounds so that can be enjoyed today and by future generations.
A DAY TO GIVE VOICE TO THE OCEAN
Discreetly, the ocean is constantly undergoing climate change. Aquatic life is being disrupted and risks disappearing indefinitely. In just 40 years, half of the world’s corals have disappeared, including one fifth in 2015 alone. In addition, one third of fish stocks worldwide are overexploited. Humans continue to pollute the ocean by suffocating it – every second 256kg of plastic waste is dumped into the ocean and in 30 years there will be more plastic than fish. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions linked to human activity leads to its warming and acidification, which leads to the melting of ice. The entire marine ecosystem is being impacted, and human beings are intimately linked to it. It is important to take a stand for the ocean and make your voice heard.
SURFRIDER EUROPE VOLUNTEER MOBILIZATIONS
Ocean initiatives in Rome, Toulouse, Brest and Dorbogea in Romania
Awareness-raising events such as those in Loire Atantique
Dancing on Biarritz beach with the Malandain Ballet Biarritz
THE FIRST MARCHES FOR THE OCEAN IN FRANCE
World Ocean Day is an opportunity to create a common synergy among all actors who speak on behalf of the ocean. Last Saturday, more than 2,000 people took to the streets in Paris and Pointe-à-pitre in support of the 21 environmental associations working to orchestrate the first ever marches for the ocean held in France. These marches, led by Surfrider Europe’s Paris office, promoted public awareness of the challenges that humans face in reducing their impact on the ocean environment. “We want to put the ocean at the heart of climate reflection, biodiversity and pollution reflection,” explained Antidia Citores, lobby manager at Surfrider Europe.
This weekend, the protection of the ocean took many and varied forms, but always with a clear message: the ocean is the source of life and we must protect it. Thank you once again to all the volunteers who got involved, took a stand and raised their voice for the ocean.
