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It’s National Ocean Month! Check Out What’s Happening!

National Ocean Month 2024

Ever since the United Nations first declared June 8 as World Oceans Day in 2008, spurring awareness of the need for ocean conservation around the globe, the United States has also celebrated National Ocean Month, which reflects a broad range of concerns mirroring those of the U.N., including implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; the maritime space, including international shipping and maritime security; marine science and technology, marine biological diversity, the marine environment and sustainable development; and regional and international cooperation in climate science efforts.

This year’s World Oceans Day theme, “Awaken New Depths,” conveyed the message that the world no longer has time for “out of sight out of mind” in regard to ocean conservation.  

“If the world is numb to numbers, motivating momentum will require opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities to protect our planet’s beating heart. We need to awaken new depths within our own,” the United Nations explained.

So what’s happening here in the United States for National Ocean Month 2024?  Check out this roundup of news and educational information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA and many others!

  • America’s new National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean EconomyNational Ocean Biodiversity Strategy, and National Aquatic eDNA Strategy reflects a whole-of-government approach to addressing overfishing, warming from climate change, increased acidity due to carbon emissions, and loss of biodiversity.
  • NOAA announced that it is designating a 1,722-square-mile area in eastern Lake Ontario as America’s 16th national marine sanctuary. Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary—adjacent to New York’s Jefferson, Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties—will celebrate the region’s maritime cultural history and provide new opportunities for research, education, recreation and maritime heritage-related tourism in local coastal communities and the broader Great Lakes region.
  • The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released data that showed the marine economy accounted for $476.2 billion of U.S. gross domestic product in 2022, an increase from $424.2 billion in 2021. The marine economy accounted for 1.7% in 2022, or $776.9 billion, of current-dollar gross output.
  • NOAA and DOE signed a memorandum of agreement on future collaborations regarding marine carbon dioxide removal research and development. As a climate solution, marine carbon dioxide removal has potential to be an important pathway to achieve the federal government’s goal for the United States to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This agreement will strengthen existing U.S. coordination of research efforts through the National Science and Technology Council’s Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Fast-Track Action Committee. 
  • The Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries announced two management plans to guide the community stewardship and long-term collaborative management of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Each of the management plans will guide efforts to engage partners, conserve and protect the marine ecosystems around the two monuments, and establish stewardship, research, exploration, engagement and education programs that further understanding and connect people to the unique ecosystems and its inhabitants, advancing the America the Beautiful initiative to restore, connect, and conserve 30 percent of our nation’s lands and waters by 2030.

NASA’s PACE Satellite Celebrates National Ocean Month With Colorful Views of Our Planet

This year, for National Ocean Month, NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite— is gifting us a unique look at our home planet. The visualizations created with data from the satellite, which launched on Feb. 8, are already enhancing the ways that we view our seas and skies. Learn more HERE.

NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries–Eight Ways to Support Marine Sanctuaries During National Ocean Month

As National Ocean Month approaches, NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries arm is joining forces to share ways that other young people across the country can take action to protect national marine sanctuaries and be a voice for the ocean.  Learn more HERE.

#OceanMonthNOAA Celebrates National Ocean Month All Month Long!

#OceanMonthNOAA Celebrates National Ocean Month All Month Long!

NOAA has assembled a variety of interactive ways to learn about all aspects of the ocean organized into weekly themes throughout the month HERE.

Or click on one of the NOAA topics below.

Week 1:  Our Blue Economy

Week 2:  The Ocean is For Everyone

Week 3:  Conserve, Restore and Connect

Week 4:  Coastal Resilience

 

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