World Oceans Day – June 8

This day ” reminds us all of the major role the ocean plays in everyday life. It serves as the lungs of our planet, a major source of food and medicine, and a critical part of the biosphere. The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population around the sustainable management of the world’s ocean.*

There is a total symbiosis between Earth and its great waters, the oceans. Yet, human action puts at risk this complex the fragile structure that gives form to our planet. As a result, temperatures across oceans are soaring, causing climatic disasters and with them thousands of victims, thus destroying the fragile equilibrium of life. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has sounded the alarm by stating:

• Climate change is triggering rising sea levels and threatening the very existence of small island developing states and coastal populations.
• Record sea temperatures are sparking extreme weather events that affect us all.
• Ocean acidification is destroying coral reefs, breaking a vital link in food chains and threatening tourism and local economies.
• And unsustainable coastal development, overfishing, deep-sea mining, uncontrolled pollution and plastic waste are wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems across the globe. » *

It should be noted that on his Encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis puts the ocean at the heart of the climate change challenges and reminds us of the vital role that the waters of the ocean play in preserving itself.

Communications Office, Providence International Center

*https://www.un.org/en/delegate/world-oceans-day