7 Ways to Celebrate World Oceans Day — CuddlyNest

Did you know that oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface? And yet, only 5% of them have been explored. That’s why we are celebrating World Oceans Day, today, by sharing facts about our beautiful blue waters and what we can do to promote sustainable ocean travel. Let’s use this international celebration as a time to grow our awareness and understanding of the largest part of our planet. In just seven easy steps, we can work together to create major change, so that we can continue to enjoy beaches and seas.

• There are five global oceans.
• The oceans are nicknamed the “Seven Seas” as the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans can be divided by north and south.
• The largest ocean on Planet Earth is the Pacific Ocean which covers more than 30% of the Earth’s surface. The smallest is the Arctic Ocean which covers 3%.
• A little more than 94% of the Earth’s living things can be found in the ocean.
• According to NOAA, the longest mountain range on earth is underwater. It is over 40,390 miles long (65,000 kilometers) and extends into the deepest parts of the ocean.
• National Geographic says there are more artifacts underwater than in all the world’s museums combined.
• The United Nations decreed June 8th as the official World Oceans Day in 2008. The first World Oceans Day was celebrated on June 8th, 2009. Every year, this international holiday has a different theme. The theme of 2020 is Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.

Now that you know that this year’s theme is Sustainable Ocean Innovation, let’s learn how to protect the oceans and make ecotourism and sustainable ocean tourism a priority as travelers. We can start here:

Eat Sustainable Seafood

One of the easiest and most effective ways to promote ocean sustainability is by eating sustainable seafood. By asking your local market and restaurants where they source their fresh seafood from you can know whether or not to purchase or consume it. The Marine Conservation Society regularly updates its site with fish to avoid purchasing or eating. Avoid purchasing seafood when it comes to fish-farming and commercial centers. Instead, buy organically sourced seafood from your local shops.

Reduce Consumption of Plastic

According to Surfers Against Sewage, there are over 50 trillion tiny pieces of plastic found in the ocean. Two-thirds of which come straight from the land. These pieces of plastic resemble food and are then consumed by marine life and can cause them to die. By reducing your consumption of plastic, you can contribute to less and less plastic pollution in the ocean. Along with recycling, reducing the use of single-use plastic is the best way to prevent the issue.

Reduce Our Carbon Footprint and Energy Consumption

Fossil fuels and burning carbon dioxide cause a tremendous amount of water pollution. This pollution and acid can destroy the coral that lies beneath the ocean’s surface. By riding bicycles, using public transportation, walking, and carpooling, you can reduce your carbon footprint and aid in reducing ocean pollution. Simple things at home can also make a large difference. Turn off your appliances when you are not using them, and check to make sure those appliances are energy efficient before purchasing them.

Participate and Organize Beach Clean-ups

Who doesn’t love a day at the beach? Next time you go bring a couple of reusable bags and some friends to do a beach clean up before you enjoy your day of sun and fun. You can even join and organize international cleans up through the Ocean Conversancy. These little steps will go a long way and allow you to have more beach days.

Travel Responsibly and Promote Coastal Tourism

When planning your future getaway with CuddlyNest, choose a destination that promotes ecotourism and sustainable travel. Visiting locations that are in a fragile state or condition rely on ecotourism to help boost their economy. Enquire with your local government and research affected areas in order to see if it is possible to visit, donate, or aid these regions.

Use Eco-Friendly Products

Before purchasing a product or appliance, check the label to make sure it is eco-friendly. You can easily tell if it is an eco-friendly product because the label will state that it was made with organic and all-natural ingredients. This will also aid in reducing plastic and waste. Everything from cleaners to clothing can be eco-friendly as long as they are made with the right materials.

Support Marine Protection Foundations and Organizations

Philanthropies and organizations including the Ocean Conservancy and the Ocean Foundation are dedicated to preserving and protecting our blue waters. By educating yourself on further ways to aid in their efforts and the efforts of so many more organizations, you can help pave the way to more sustainable ocean travel. Whether by donating, reading, learning, instructing, and more, we can commit to joining together as an international community to make the waters a safe and happy environment for everyone to enjoy.

We hope you join our efforts in protecting our oceans this World Oceans Day. Let us know what coastal getaway you have your heart set on, and at CuddlyNest will help you find the perfect sustainable accommodation.

Learn more about sustainable travel by both land and sea on our blog and social media channels.

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Originally published at https://www.cuddlynest.com on June 8, 2020.