Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

June 8th is World Oceans Day, the UN-designated day for the global community to celebrate and take action for our shared ocean. This year, the day draws attention to two little-known but all-important issues: global warming and ocean acidification.

Emissions from human activity are changing the Earth’s climate, leading to rising sea levels, and contributing to more frequent and intense extreme weather events that directly threaten every one of us–no matter whether we live along the coast or far inland. Recent public surveys show that ocean acidification is not yet well known but it’s an issue that will become much more prominent, and, fortunately, you can help make a real difference! 

Ways in which you can make a difference include:
Get Green Power.  Use cleaner and healthier alternatives to fossil fuels and advocate for more! Buying green energy for your home is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon emissions. You can find some resources at the Global Energy Network Institute webpage. Commute wisely.  Get out your bike or buy a used one, take public transportation more regularly, try car sharing, seek carpooling partners, or consider telecommuting on the phone or video service such as Skype. Every time you skip the car for one of these alternatives, you help our ocean!
 
Encourage local government leadership. Get your mayor to commit to helping by signing on to a coalition for the protection of the climate (e.g. Cities for Climate Protection Campaign or Mayors for Climate Protection). Many national governments are failing to take adequate action in a timely fashion, so we can each help at the local level to make the push for a safer, healthier blue planet. Plus, the more we do on the local front, the easier it becomes for national and global action with real “teeth” to make a difference in our lifetimes.

There are hundreds of events being held all over the world, find one near you and celebrate with a purpose this World Oceans Day. You can also go the extra mile and organize an event yourself using ideas and free materials provided at WorldOceansDay.org!