WORLD OCEANS DAY

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Mains Exam: General Studies Paper 3

(Environment Conservation)

June 8, 2023

Foreword:

  • Oceans are not only symbols of life on our earth, but also play a major role in environmental balance. Life on earth is believed to have originated from the oceans, which contain immense biodiversity.
  • Every year on the occasion of World Ocean Day, various events are organized around the world on topics related to the ocean, which play a major role in creating awareness about the positive and negative aspects of the ocean.

World Ocean Day:

  • World Ocean Day is celebrated every year on 8th June. The first World Oceans Day was observed on 8 June 2009.
  • Theme of World Oceans Day 2023: “Planet Ocean: The tides are changing”.
  • Background: World Oceans Day began in 2009, the foundation of which was laid at the Earth Summit held in 1992. The day was proposed by the Oceans Institute of Canada and the International Center for Development of Canada.

Objective:

  • To throw light on the topics of biodiversity, food security, ecological balance, climate change, indiscriminate use of marine resources etc.
  • To create awareness in the world about the challenges faced by the oceans.
  • Spreading awareness among people about the importance of oceans and conservation of marine resources.
  • Emphasis was to be laid on saving the oceans and using methods that cause the least damage to ocean resources.

About Ocean:

  • About seventy percent of the earth is surrounded by oceans. About 97 percent of all the water available on the earth is contained in the oceans. From its inception to the present day, the oceans have been harboring diverse forms of life.
  • The vastness of the oceans can be gauged from the fact that if all the oceans of the earth are considered as one huge ocean, then all the continents of the earth would seem like a small island in comparison.
  • In addition to being a reservoir of immense water spread over a vast area of the earth, the oceans provide shelter to many small delicate ecosystems in and around them, due to which different types of fauna and flora thrive in those places.
  • Life on earth originated in oceans only. Even today the oceans are helpful in maintaining the conditions necessary for life. The oceans cover more than one-third of the Earth's surface. Therefore, a slight change in the ocean ecosystem has the potential to disrupt the entire system of the Earth.

Pacific Ocean:

  • Significantly, the Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on the earth. It covers about 30 percent of the Earth's surface. The depth of this ocean is 35 thousand feet and its shape is triangular. There are about 25 thousand islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Atlantic Ocean:

  • The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean in the world in terms of area and extent. It has more than 21 percent of the Earth's surface. The size of this ocean is like the number 8 in English. Some vegetation of this ocean shines by itself, because sunlight does not reach here.

Indian Ocean:

  • The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean in the world. It is about fourteen percent of the earth. The Indian Ocean is also known as Ratnasagar. The Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country.

Antarctica Ocean:

  • Antarctica is the fourth largest ocean among the oceans. It is also known as the Austral Ocean. In this ocean, giant pieces of ice that look like icebergs are seen floating. There are more than 400 lakes inside the icy land of Antarctica.

Arctic Ocean:

  • The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the five oceans. It is also called the North Polar Ocean. In winter, this ocean is completely covered with sea ice.

Significance:

  • Ocean is not only a source of water, but also a medium of food and nutrition.
  • The livelihood of many people is linked to the oceans.
  • Oceans play an important role in environmental balance.
  • Oceans are extremely useful because of their importance socially, culturally and economically.
  • The existence of life on earth has been possible only because of certain factors like atmosphere and oceans present here.
  • 30 percent of the total population of the world lives in the coastal areas of these oceans, so in such a situation oceans are the main source of food for them.
  • Being a major source of food, oceans contribute significantly to strengthen our economy.
  • Being the reservoir of immense water spread over a vast area of the earth, these seas provide shelter to many small delicate ecosystems in and around them, due to which different types of fauna and flora thrive in those places.
  • Similarly, mangrove-rich vegetation located in the coastal areas provide shelter to various organisms while acting as a nursery for many marine organisms.
  • In the oceans, from the world's largest animal whale to micro-organisms are also found. According to an estimate, only one million species of aquatic organisms can be present side the ocean.
  • Ten percent of the oxygen we use for breathing comes from the sea. Microscopic bacteria or bacteria present in the sea emit oxygen which is very important for life on earth.

Concerns related to Oceans:

  • At present, due to the effect of human activities, the level of pollution in the coastal areas of the oceans is increasing day by day.
  • Where coastal areas, especially at river mouths, were recognized as areas of high biodiversity due to ample availability of sunlight, at the same time, due to the presence of large amount of polluting elements in the sea water of these areas, life there is in danger.
  • Due to oil spillage from oil tankers and turbidity of sea water, sunlight does not reach deep in it, due to which there is difficulty for life to flourish there and bio-diversity is also being affected at those places.
  • Increasing pollution in the oceans is becoming a matter of concern in recent years. Billions of tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans every year. Due to not decomposing easily, this garbage remains in the oceans as it is. The amount of heavy metals and saline pollution reaching the Indian Ocean alone from the Indian subcontinent is millions of tons per year.
  • Daily exposure to toxic chemicals adversely affects the growth of marine vegetation and marine biodiversity is also affected.
  • Due to the pollution caused by plastic in the sea, these bacteria are not able to flourish, due to which the amount of oxygen in the sea is also continuously decreasing. Already due to climate change or other reasons, there is often a sharp change in the nature of the seas, which can sometimes cause widespread destruction. If we do not warn in time, then it can become a big danger for animals and birds as well as humans.

Conclusions:

  • Earth and oceans have a very important place in our lives. Today, with the help of science and technology, many important natural resources including petroleum are being extracted from the oceans. These oceans are very useful and important for human civilization in every way. Still, we are not paying any special attention to its conservation. Instead of conserving it, we are engaged in polluting it.
  • Oceans should be studied to understand many weather phenomena including climate change for conservation and protection of oceans.
  • Considering the usefulness of the ocean in the ecosystems that sustain life on earth, it is necessary that we maintain the balance of the oceanic ecosystem. Only then our future will be secure.

Source-JANSATTA

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Mains Exam Question

To what extent have World Oceans Day events proved useful in addressing concerns related to oceans? Discuss.