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(DOE Cayman; today is World Oceans Day! And what better theme to celebrate! No matter how we enjoy the ocean and its resources, it is vitally important to all of us. Most importantly it generates most of the oxygen we breathe, but it also helps feed us, it regulates our climate, it cleans the water we drink, it is the source of many existing and also a number of potential medicines, and last but certainly not least, it provides limitless inspiration and peace. The ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth's surface and supports the life of nearly 50 percent of all species on Earth! It is also this body of water that links us all together on our water planet. What can we do as individuals to help TODAY? We can 'Wear Blue, Tell Two'. Speak up! Let those around you know why you’re wearing blue and share two facts about why it’s important to protect our world oceans; or ways that you are taking action personally. To make the “Tell Two” part a little easier, here are two messages you can share:
* Our ocean has a great wealth of diverse kinds of life but it’s in trouble. Climate change has already been linked to the killing of coral reefs. Coupled with destructive fishing practices, there is a dramatic decline in many types of fish and sea life we depend on.
* There are important, easy actions each of us can take to help. Calculating our carbon footprints and looking for ways to reduce our role in climate change (like car-pooling, using energy saving light bulbs etc.) is a great step. Likewise, we can choose seafood that is abundant in supply (see the Cayman Sea Sense Guide to what to buy here in the Cayman Islands). You can also do beach or dive clean-ups, use re-usable shopping bags, drink from the tap (rather than the bottle), and also encourage everyone you know here to get involved in this review of our marine parks by attending forthcoming public meetings and by telling your district Minister what matters to you. )