World Oceans Day is observed every year on June 8 to raise awareness about the importance of the ocean and the need to protect it. First proposed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada, the day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008. It encourages people everywhere to support ocean health, sustainable resource use, and global efforts tied to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2026 theme is “Reimagine”, inviting us to rethink our relationship with the ocean. For too long, many of us have treated the ocean as something distant and separate from daily life, when in fact it shapes the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the climate that sustains us. The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface, produces at least half of the world’s oxygen, absorbs a significant share of carbon dioxide, feeds billions of people, and supports livelihoods around the globe. Reimagining our connection to the ocean means moving from appreciation to responsibility.
My mother was from Ireland and lived in three countries during her life. She was always drawn to holidays where she could stand at the water’s edge and put her feet in the ocean. She said it made her feel connected to her family in Ireland and Great Britain. That memory reminds me that the ocean is not only a natural resource; for many people, it is also a source of belonging, memory, and identity.
What kind of connection do you have to the ocean, and is it strong enough to inspire action in return for all that it gives us? Even if it is too late to plan a major event this year, it is never too late to learn more and make meaningful choices. You might support organizations that remove plastic from the water, protect marine life from abandoned fishing gear, or restore fragile habitats. You could host a sustainable seafood dinner, attend an educational event at a nature centre, reduce single-use plastics, or simply start conversations about why ocean protection matters. Every action, however small, helps bring us closer to a healthier future for our blue planet.
-Maureen Condon, csj Associate
Images: Andrzej Kryszpiniuk/ Shifaaz shamoon | Unsplash