New Delhi: Oceans cover more than 71 percent of the planet, host up to 80 percent of life on earth and account for 96 per cent of all water. Moreover, Oceans help in producing more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, and absorb about 25 percent of all human carbon emissions. Despite being the lifeline for the planet Earth, our oceans today are choking with all things plastic. United Nations states that 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean, every year, wreaking havoc on wildlife. United Nations Environment Programme states that plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries and if current trends continue, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050.
In a bid to raise public awareness and encourage citizen action to protect oceans, United Nations started observing June 8 as World Oceans Day. This year, the day is being marked with a theme – The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods.
Taking the message of saving the oceans on social media, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan said,
The ocean is a symbol of life on earth. They are a storehouse of immense biodiversity and a limitless source of protein-rich foods. These are the basis of our future development, so we have to contribute in maintaining their original form along with their conservation.
आज #WorldOceansDay है।
महासागर पृथ्वी पर जीवन का प्रतीक है। ये असीम जैव विविधता के भंडार व प्रोटीन युक्त खाद्य पदार्थों के असीम स्रोत हैं।
ये हमारे भावी विकास के आधार हैं, इसलिए हमें इनके संरक्षण के साथ ही इनके मूल स्वरूप को बनाए रखने में योगदान देना होगा।@PMOIndia @moesgoi pic.twitter.com/0eSlUtrDTz
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) June 8, 2021
Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar on the other hand annoying the two-months campaign on plastic waste management in India, said,
Plastic litter has adverse impact on not only terrestrial but aquatic ecosystems. Today on #WorldOceansDay , will be launching a 2 months long awareness campaign on the topic of plastic waste management and elimination of identified Single Use Plastics (SUPs) items.
Also Read: A Photo Feature On The Impact Of Plastic Pollution On Life On The Planet
Plastic litter has adverse impacts on not only terrestrial but aquatic ecosystems also. Today on #WorldOceansDay , will be launching a 2 months long awareness campaign on the topic of plastic waste management and elimination of identified Single Use Plastics (SUPs) items. pic.twitter.com/MDVkdOoY85
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) June 8, 2021
Reiterating the fact that saving oceans is the need of an hour, Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik said,
Oceans have a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Oceans provide us oxygen, major source of water, food and play a crucial role in regulating climate. On #WorldOceansDay, let us all pledge to prevent plastic pollution and keep the oceans clean for a healthier planet.
Oceans have a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Oceans provide us oxygen, major source of water, food and play a crucial role in regulating climate. On #WorldOceansDay, let us all pledge to prevent plastic pollution and keep the oceans clean for a healthier planet. pic.twitter.com/f3mG2ENMSB
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 8, 2021
Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan said,
Coastal and marine ecosystems have a significant bearing on lives and livelihoods. #WorldOceansDay, is yet another day to encourage sustainable use of our marine resources. Let us commit ourselves in restoring our vibrant oceans & marine ecosystems to health & abundance.
Also Read: A Reminder That Oceans Need Our Attention
Costal and marine ecosystems have a significant bearing on lives and livelihoods in Odisha. #WorldOceansDay, is yet another day to encourage sustainable use of our marine resources. Let us commit ourselves in restoring our vibrant oceans & marine ecosystems to health & abundance. pic.twitter.com/aD4AM6ThF7
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 8, 2021
Sharing a video on Twitter, Actor, and UN Environment’s Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza said,
What choices are we making every day to help protect our oceans? #BeatPollution #WorldOceansDay
Environmentalist Afroz Shah marked #WorldOceansDay by doing what he loves the most – by cleaning it. Sharing updates of the clean-up, he said,
Week 309. Love for mother nature and our India flows with the same intensity in our veins. 7.00 am – at the beach. 6 tractor loads ( 24000 kgs) of marine debris removed . We need the ocean to be healthy for us and for other species. Our love for oceans. #WorldOceansDay
Week 309.
Love for mother nature and our India flows with the same intensity in our veins.
7.00 am – at the beach.
6 tractor loads ( 24000 kgs) of marine debris removed .
We need the ocean to be healthy for us and for other species.
Our love for oceans.#WorldOceansDay pic.twitter.com/4lYVcXnRIP
— Afroz shah (@AfrozShah1) June 8, 2021
An ocean advocate and a pioneer swimmer, Lewis Pugh also shared a video message on his social media and urged people to be conscious and help protect the ecosystem. In the video message, Lewis Pugh said,
For me, everyday is World Oceans Day. We must all remember, we need to celebrate our oceans, it is our responsibility to protect them. Everyday we make decisions, about what we eat, how we travel to school or work, the clothes we wear or how we warm our homes. And ultimately, all these choices, impact our oceans. I urge everyone, to ask themselves a simple question – what changes can you make today that will help save our oceans.
This is where I find joy ????#WorldOceansDay pic.twitter.com/elKZXEzP4p
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) June 7, 2021
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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