Happy World Ocean Day! The Ocean Foundation, Ocean Health Index, Listeners’ Call to Action!

HAPPY WORLD OCEANS DAY!

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 on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans. 

The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation. 

The concept of a ‘World Oceans Day’ was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a way to celebrate our world’s shared ocean and our personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help protect it.

This year’s United Nations World Oceans Day will highlight the theme Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean. Why does celebrating World Oceans Day matter to us? Open ocean sites show current levels of acidity have increased by 26 per cent since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Also coastal waters are deteriorating due to pollution and eutrophication. Without concerted efforts, coastal eutrophication is expected to increase in 20 percent of large marine ecosystems by 2050.  

So it’s time to stop treating the oceans as both our kitchen and our toilet and start celebrating the magic of oceans. Thanks to the Ocean Foundation, here are some ways:

1.   Walk, bike or even swim to work. … 
2.   Offset your carbon with seagrass restoration​​. … 
3.   Make your summer vacation the best for you and the best for the ocean. … 
4.   Stop using plastic and reduce your junk! … 
5.   Volunteer for a local cleanup! … 
6.   Make sure you know where your seafood comes from.

DEEPER DIVE: UN, Ocean Foundation, WorldOceanDay.org

THE OCEAN FOUNDATION

As the only community foundation for the ocean, THE OCEAN FOUNDATION is dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. Why do oceans need a community foundation, anyway and why does it matter to us? Oceans transcend all geographic boundaries, and are responsible for producing at least half of all dioxygen/O2 on the planet. Oceans cover 71% of the planet, and yet because we treat them like both our kitchen and our toilet, their environments are experiencing unprecedented destruction. 

Historically conventional, climate-based philanthropies have given oceans only 7% of environmental grant making, and ultimately, less than 1% of all philanthropy to support the communities that need this funding for marine science and conservation the most. The Ocean Foundation was founded to help boost that ratio, a lot. It does that through conservation initiatives, carbon offset programs, supporting island communities, and through projects designed to invest in ocean health, just to name a few.

Through its Rockefeller Climate Solutions strategy, the Ocean Fund Provides ocean-related investment screening and due diligence services to public equity asset managers, and other financial entities who are interested in expert screening of companies regarding the potential impacts of their activities on the ocean.

It supports island communities in building coastal and community resilience. From Alaska to Cuba to Fiji, the Foundation recognizes that while islands have similarities as isolated areas of land, each remains unique in its ability to respond to shared pressures. The ability to respond relies on a combination of autonomy, infrastructure, and resources.

So it helps link local communities together to become a louder, cumulative voice. Using social equity as a frame, Ocean Foundation works through groups like the Climate Strong Islands Network to bring partners together, lift voices, and enhance access and opportunity for islanders to reach decision makers.

DEEPER DIVE: The Ocean Foundation, PR NewsWire, Ocean Health Index

THE OCEAN HEALTH INDEX

You index your stocks. You index your priorities. You even may still index your cards. Well what about indexing the health of our oceans? The Ocean Health Index defines a healthy ocean to be one that sustainably delivers a range of benefits to people now and in the future The OHI is a framework for assessing ocean health based on the sustainable provisioning of benefits and services people expect from healthy oceans, such as food, cultural and social value, and jobs.

It was originally developed by an interdisciplinary team of scientists to assess global ocean health. This was a huge success and the global OHI assessment has been repeated every year since 2012! Why does this matter to us? Ocean benefits delivered to humans are called goals within the OHI framework, and are widely recognized for supporting human well-being and sustainable ocean ecosystems.

The 10 goals that comprise the global Ocean Health Index were based on extensive study by scientists, economists, and sociologists. They include:

• artisanal fishing opportunity

• biodiversity

• carbon storage

• clean waters

• coastal livelihoods and economies

• coastal protection

• food provision

• natural products

• sense of place

• tourism and recreation

This approach to assessing ocean health is inherently human-centric, which we believe is an advantage of the Index. While humans exist they will be part of the marine system, both depending on and impacting global oceans. The OHI acknowledges this reality and directly assesses what we ultimately care about. For example, most people do not directly care about nutrient pollution, however, they do care about its effects on the ocean’s ability to provide recreation and food.

DEEPER DIVE: Ocean Health Index, Nature, PlosOne

THE CLIMATE DAILY LISTENER CALL OUT CHALLENGE

Recently, one of our listeners shared her story of how listening to the climate daily helped her deal so well with her climate change overwhelm, that she got out and started working with the local community based group. Then she challenged us to ask you all to share any stories you might have of how listening to the climate daily might have inspired you into action, so we can share them with the world.

Remember, we’re all about sharing stories of people taking positive action to combat climate change. And that’s you listeners. You can hit us up on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at #wetheclimate or Jeffrey at The Climate dot org or Maude at The Climate dot org, too.