About
Mission and History
World Ocean Day rallies the world for collaborative, youth-led ocean and climate action on 8 June and throughout the year. We work in partnership with diverse youth leaders, youth-focused organizations, and others from all sectors in a growing global network to inspire and effectively engage the public, inform policymakers, and unite the world to protect and restore our blue planet.
On World Ocean Day, people everywhere can unite to celebrate and take action for our one ocean and one climate, which connect us all. Join together with your family and community, rally your company, and join with millions of others around our blue planet to create a better future.
By working together, we can protect and restore our shared ocean and create a stable climate. Join this growing global celebration in June and continue to grow the engagement year-round!
1992
Canada proposes the concept of a "World Ocean Day" at the Earth Summit in Rio.
2002
The Ocean Project begins global promotion and coordination of World Ocean Day in collaboration with global partners.
2003
WorldOceanDay.org website launched to support event organizers worldwide; 25 events held in 15 countries. Aquariums, zoos, museums, and youth-focused organizations constitute the main event organizers. Multi-year campaign launches to engage all sectors and promote opportunities for action around World Ocean Day.
2008
After a four-year onsite and online petition drive, in December 2008 the United Nations General Assembly officially recognizes 8 June as World Oceans Day (and adds the 's').
2016
World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council launched. Multi-year Conservation Action Focus launched on preventing plastic pollution and advancing solutions.
2019
2000+ events in 140+ countries. #TogetherWeCan social media campaign engaged 87m. Together with Youth Council, major effort launched to connect, activate, and mobilize the World Ocean Day network all 365 days of the year.
2020
New website and logo launched. New multi-year Conservation Action Focus launched: protecting 30% of our lands and ocean by 2030, in partnership with Campaign for Nature. 454 million reached on social media in June; first ever 24-hour Youth-a-thon for the ocean.
2021
We dropped "S" so it is World Ocean Day (once again), with one world ocean that connects us all!
Over 1,000 online and onsite events in 140 countries. More than 1,100 organizations in 84 countries sign the global petition to world leaders to protect 30% of our lands and ocean by 2030. Youth-a-thon 2021 driven by Youth Advisory Council. 650m social media impressions.
[photo by Cécile Gaspar]
2022
10,000+ organizations and businesses coordinated 15,000+ events in 140+ countries. Over the course of three years, a total of 70,000+ individuals signed a petition in support of #30x30