The 2024 Action Theme: Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate
We face one of the greatest threats ever to our blue planet and all its inhabitants: the climate crisis. It is all too clear that we need a healthy ocean for a healthy climate, and vice versa, and we need significantly stronger local, national, and international action from both government and corporate leaders. Now.
For 2024, we are launching a new multi-year action theme: Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate. By growing the movement through transformative collaboration, we aim to create not only a healthy blue planet, but also a more just, equitable and sustainable society.
With the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council and with our partners we will be collaboratively developing more resources and opportunities soon. Beginning in January, we will begin monthly actions to help protect the ocean & create a stable climate!
Together, we will also keep up the pressure on global leaders to follow through on their commitments to 30×30 and its full implementation by 2030
The historic #30×30 commitments announced at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in late 2022 and for a High Seas Treaty in early 2023 were not only huge win for our planet, but also a massive win for the World Ocean Day network of over 2,000 organizations. Thanks to all organizations and individuals who signed the 30×30 petition, to youth leaders and other partners who helped amplify the action at your events and generally, and to our followers who shared with their own networks. Your voices have been heard!
It’s important to celebrate these victories AND keep the momentum going! In the months and years ahead, together we can make sure that our national leaders follow through on their commitments and ensure that at least 30% of lands, waters, and ocean get protected by 2030, both along the coasts of the world and across the high seas!
Why did we prioritize the 30×30 goal as the Action Theme the last several years?
Leading scientists worldwide have said that a healthy ocean is a critical part of the solution to the climate and biodiversity crises.
By supporting 30×30, we can protect our planet’s life support systems – specifically the interconnected issues of ocean, climate, and biodiversity. Currently, less than 17% of land and 8% of the ocean worldwide is protected.
The good news is, due to the efforts of the growing global 30×30 movement, including those involved in the World Ocean Day network, our nations’ leaders made a global commitment to 30×30 during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in late 2022 and for a High Seas Treaty in early 2023.
With your help, and by working with a growing network of youth and organizational leaders worldwide, together we will continue to strengthen the global movement to protect at least 30% of our blue planet by 2030 and safeguard our future.
photo credit: Gabriel Barathieu
photo credit: Alex Mustard