World Oceans Day

In 2008 the UN General Assembly decided that, as from 2009, 8 June would be designated by the UN as World Oceans Day - an opportunity to celebrate the ocean and our personal connection to the sea. For further information, visit the UN World Oceans Day web pages.

The Ocean Project, working closely with the World Ocean Network, helps to coordinate events and activities with aquariums, zoos, museums, conservation organisations, universities, schools and businesses. There are lots of ideas for celebrating World Oceans Day on their website at http://worldoceansday.org.

Useful resources:

• Ocean Education - ‘Frozen Oceans at home’ (for age 7-11) and ‘Coral oceans at home' (for age 11-14)
• Search the Global Dimension website under ‘Waste’
• Free KS2 and 3 GLP World Ocean's Day resource for all schools signed up to the GLP.
• Be the Change Books – Resources for 4-8 year olds.
• Royal Geographical Society – Plastic Pollution in the oceans (KS5)
• Plastic Pollution Coalition – Aimed at US Grades 4-6 (UK ages 9-12)
• The Plastic Pollution Toolkit – collection of tools and resources to empower individuals and communities to combat ocean plastic in their local area and globally
• Plastic Oceans – Foundation  working to change the way we deal with plastic waste by challenging society’s perception that this indestructible substance can be treated as ‘disposable’. The website has lots of ideas for taking action and a film.
• Digital Explorer has a range of interesting teaching resources in the Oceans Academy section of their website.

The Global Partnership for Oceans has produced the following 'infographic' showing why oceans are important and the threats they face: