Credit: https://mastermehmed.com/
Help Bluefin celebrate World Ocean Day this June.
What is World Ocean Day?
World Ocean Day is an international event that takes place every year on June 8th.
Since 1992, the United Nations (UN) have used this day to mark the importance of oceans and to promote sustainable management of its resources. Each year, there is a different theme, with the theme for 2022 being revitalization: collective action for the ocean.
Thousands of events will be hosted by marine specialists, businesses, schools and action groups in over 144 countries. This year, World Ocean Day is also part of a global movement to encourage world leaders to safeguard at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 in its 30×30 campaign.
What is happening to our oceans?
Carbon emissions from human activity such as industry, pollution and deforestation are causing oceans to warm, leading to acidification and depleted fish populations. This has a detrimental effect on ecosystems and throws out natural biodiversity, leading other species to perish. It’s important that we recognise the effect we’re having on our marine life and act now.
Why are oceans so important?
- Oceans cover more than 70% of the earth’s surface and produce half of the planet’s oxygen.
- They absorb around 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
- Our oceans control the temperature and weather by absorbing over half the heat reaching us from the sun.
- Over three million people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihood and 60% of the world’s population live along coastlines.
What can I do to support World Ocean Day?
The organisers of World Ocean Day have put together a how-to guide and toolkit this year to help people take part in the 30 x 30 campaign. It has a wealth of resources for children and educators and lots of information about events going on worldwide, including beach cleanups.
Remember, all waterways eventually lead to the ocean, so there’s plenty we can do in our local area along canals, rivers, and estuaries to support the movement.
Take inspiration from our Ambassador Jessica @jessicakleczka and what she is doing:
This year I’ve been exploring the beautiful places right on my doorstep to promote sustainable travel and keep my own impact low. Wales and the UK have thousands of miles of coastline with incredible ecosystems, hidden beaches and fascinating wildlife — all of which I’ve been lucky to experience from up close with my Bluefin paddle board. We even saw seals while paddling along the coastal path!
Here are some more ways you can reduce your impact and help keep our oceans healthy:
- Leave no trace and take your trash home with you
- Respect marine animals and their homes
- Support local and sustainable businesses on your travels
- Join a climate group and put pressure on decision makers to protect our oceans
As a paddleboarding brand, we hear this message loud and clear and want to do more to protect the future of our oceans. That’s why in 2022 we partnered with Ecologi in a bid to become more sustainable as a business. Thanks to the plant a tree initiative, your sales are helping us to support the reforestation of mangroves in the Indian Ocean around north west Madagascar. For every purchase you make with Bluefin, we plant a mangrove tree with the help of Ecologi and Eden Reforestation Projects.
What can you do to help?
It’s all good and well knowing the effects of human activity on our planet but it’s another thing to actually be proactive in doing something about it. Small steps taken by individuals adds up to one big collective effort. So let’s be more focused on our actions…
