June 8 is World Oceans Day

Here’s some trivia for you: what generates most of the oxygen we breathe, provides food for us, regulates our climate, cleans our drinking water, and is home to a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines? If you guessed the oceans, you’re right! Tomorrow (Friday, June 8) is World Oceans Day, a time to celebrate our amazing oceans, as well as to inspire activism that will help protect them.

5 ways to help the oceans
Individuals can do their part to promote healthier, happier oceans.

1. Reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use. Plastic, even if properly disposed, can accumulate in the oceans, threatening the lives of marine critters who think it’s food, and ultimately making its way up the food chain to us. Plastic can hide in the unlikeliest of places (even certain facial exfoliants!), so read these tips on how avoid excess single-use plastic.
2. Organize, or participate in, beach cleanups. Encourage your friends and family to get involved too!
3. Learn the differences between sustainable and non-sustainable seafood, and how to make environmentally friendly choices the next time you’re at the grocery store or your favourite restaurant.
4. Take steps to lower your carbon footprint and combat climate change, which is threatening the oceans.
5. Celebrate World Oceans Day (see below) and spread the word to your friends and family—in person or through social media. A fun way to spread the word is to “Wear Blue and Tell Two”—wearing blue clothing tomorrow and speaking up about the issues by telling two facts about the oceans.  

Celebrate World Oceans Day!
Whether you’re looking for something educational or wacky and creative, there are countless activities across Canada to celebrate World Oceans Day, from a yoga class at the Vancouver Aquarium with celebrated “blissologist” Eoin Finn to a beach cleanup at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Halifax, Nova Scotia is even organizing a flash mob!

To find an event near you, check out the “Events” section of the World Oceans Day website.