On World Ocean Day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honor the ocean, which connects us all. Get together with your family, friends, colleagues, community, and — together with millions of others around our blue planet – we will create a better future.
This year’s action focus centers on the global campaign to protect 30% of our blue planet by the year 2030 (30×30). A healthy ocean is a critical part of the solution to the climate crisis.
No matter where you are located or what business you’re in, by supporting 30×30, we can protect our planet’s life support systems– specifically the interconnected issues of ocean, climate, and biodiversity.
Join with other sailors around the world who are holding fun and meaningful World Ocean Day events, working together to keep the ocean healthy for future generations. Not sure where to start? For extensive guidance on planning an event, activity, or celebration (virtual or in person) check out the 2021 Event Planning Toolkit. For quick inspiration, see the ideas below and remember to follow your local guidelines surrounding safety and the ongoing pandemic.
Sign the petition to support 30×30:
- Sign yourself and share the link with your community or on social media to gather more signatures– together, with millions of others around the world, we can make a difference!
Sail green:
Prepare a plan for a green sail before you leave. Consider what you’re bringing on the boat and make an effort to reduce packaging before you set sail. Use moorings instead of anchors when possible. When you anchor on rocky or coral bottoms, you risk the chance of damaging fragile ocean landscapes.
- Sailors for the Sea’s Green Boating Guide
- Educate others in your sailing community!
Host a regatta or sailing festival:
Have fun and get your local community involved by hosting a regatta or sailing festival that is open to the public! The community can celebrate with music, games, and sustainably sourced seafood! Consider offering beginning sailing lessons or free cruises to attendees.
Share the wonders of the ocean through sailing:
Host a live event or share footage of previous sailing sessions on your website, blog, or social media!
Keep the waves clean:
Consider hosting a marina or harbor cleanup to remove litter from your local waterway. Make a change at your sailing club or organization by going plastic-free or encourage your local marina to do the same. Join the larger movement to protect the ocean where you sail, sign the petition to support protecting 30% of the lands, waters, and ocean by 2030.
Celebrate tradition:
Celebrate the tradition of sailing with antique boats, and old sailing techniques. Share your boats and sailing techniques from the past with demonstrations and lectures to inspire people to be better ocean stewards for the future.
- For inspiration, check out the Polynesian Voyaging Society and their traditional sailing canoe
Recognizing that every community has been facing the pandemic, we recommend following local health and safety guidelines when planning your event, activity, or celebration. Once you’ve finished planning don’t forget to join the hundreds of other organizations around the world and register it on the global event map! Share your celebration with the world and tag @WorldOceanDay so we can repost and amplify your message!
