Page 15 - ATA

A14 LOCAL
Wednesday 10 July 2019

Respect the oceans 365 days a year

already joined Oceana – the larg-
est international organization fo-
cused solely on ocean conserva-
tion.www.oceana.org.

The Commonwealth Blue Charter
is an agreement by 53 Common-
wealth countries to actively co-
operate to solve ocean-related
problems and meet commitments
for sustainable ocean develop-
ment. www.bluecharter.thecom-
monwealth.org.

Kudos to Youth
The World Oceans Day Youth Advi-
sory Council, with 24 members ages
16 - 23 from 20 diverse countries,
provides new and unique perspec-
tives, ideas and recommendations
for rallying the world for our ocean.
With continued engagement year-
round, Council members help
shape the development of World
Oceans Day by inspiring actions,
big and small, that provide oppor-
tunities for ocean conservation 365
days a year.
By Melissa Martin Ph.D Bahamas or other island countries The Ocean Project helps lead glob-
OHIO — My favorite vacation spot on planet Earth—beaches abroad al promotion and coordination of Teach Children about Oceans
is any place with an ocean and a buzz with tourism and adventure. World Oceans Day. This watery ini- Watch the Splash and Bubbles vid-
beach—God’s natural playground tiative advances conservation in eo episodes at www.pbskids.org.
created for fun in the sun. And “On World Oceans Day, people partnership with aquariums, zoos,
during summer beach vacations, around our blue planet celebrate museums, and youth. Since 2002, A new illustrated book, co-pub-
families can educate themselves and honor the ocean, which con- The Ocean Project has also been lished by the Commonwealth,
about ocean clean-up and con- nects us all.” It’s held annually in the global leader for promoting seeks to educate children about
servation. June. www.worldoceansday.org. and coordinating World Oceans seabed minerals and the impacts
Day, to rally the world in June and of their exploitation through deep
Oceans cover 71 percent of the A healthy world ocean is critical growing action year-round. sea mining. “Treasures of the
planet and are home to important to our survival. World Oceans Day For 2019, the theme, Together We Deep” is a story of three friends
species and ecosystems that hu- provides a unique opportunity Can, focused on what we can all that descend in a submarine to
mans rely on for food, livelihoods, to honor, help protect, and con- do together to create a healthy the depths of the ocean, where
climate regulation, travel, relax- serve our world’s shared ocean. ocean and better future. Millions they learn about exotic ecosys-
ation, and so much more. The ocean is important because it: of people virtually joined hands tems and rich mineral deposits on
generates most of the oxygen we around the world to show their the sea floor…It raises questions
Whether you visit Myrtle Beach, the breathe; helps feed us; regulates support for protecting our shared regarding the balance between
Outer Banks, Cape Cod, Daytona our climate; cleans the water we ocean. exploitation and conservation and
Beach, Malibu Beach—America’s drink; offers a pharmacopoeia of asks the reader to consider all ele-
beaches buzz with summer activi- medicines; and provides limitless More than 800,000 members and ments. www.thecommonwealth.
ties. Whether you fly or cruise to the inspiration. activists in over 200 countries have org.q

“People protect what they love.”

– Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Melissa Martin, Ph.D., is an author,
columnist, educator, and therapist.
She lives in the US.