Happy World Ocean Day

Today, is officially, the unofficial day we celebrate our oceans. Although aquaria and conservation organizations across the world will recognize today as "World Ocean Day", in reality, there has only been one world ocean day, and that was in 1992, at the first ever Earth summit.

"Earth Day" of course, is officially recognized every year, and there's no doubt that the oceans are celebrated in those festivities. But, as we all know, our ocean planet is 70% water, and those that live both in our oceans and on the land not only depend on water, but are composed of water. The human brain is 70% water, which may explain a lot!

Our oceans provide a major source of protein for much of the world's population. Our oceans drive our climate, provide us with a large percentage of the oxygen we breathe, and are absorbing ever increasing amounts of carbon dioxide, which we are all producing each year.

Is it a lot to ask to dedicate a day in honor of our oceans?

For many years, Oceana has been petitioning the UN to make this day a permanent tribute.

But at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, every day is Ocean Day. Every day we seek to inspire our guests to find new ways to tread lightly on our planet and to take responsibility for our footprint - whether that be through the seafood choices we make, or through the way we get engaged in local, state and national ocean policy issues.

Thank you for caring about our oceans. Together we can make a difference.