May 29, 2020
The Houston Sierra Club has suspended in-person monthly General Meetings due to the COVID-19 emergency. As a substitute this month we are offering an online program topic, which can be viewed at one's convenience.
This month we feature World Oceans Day, June 8, and our nation's National Marine Sanctuaries. Below are links to related websites that describe the importance of our world's oceans and the various conservation efforts to protect their biodiversity and their essential life sustaining functions. Also below are a variety of video links to take virtual tours of our National Marine Sanctuaries.
United Nations, World Oceans Day:
Official UN World Oceans Day Portal:
World Oceans Day, June 8
A site for conservation efforts, youth actions, and events:
Our ocean is our future:
We should celebrate World Oceans Day to remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.
Oceans serve as the world’s largest source of protein, with more than 3 billion people depending on the oceans as their primary source of protein.
Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.
When we think of public health risks, we may not think of the ocean. Increasingly, however, the health of the ocean is intimately tied to our health. Some may be surprised to read that organisms discovered at extreme depths are used to speed up the detection of COVID-19.
The 2020 Conservation Focus:
World Oceans Day is uniting conservation action to grow the global movement calling on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. This critical need is called 30x30. By safeguarding at least 30% of our land and ocean through a network of highly protected areas we can help ensure a healthy home for all!
World Oceans Day is uniting conservation action to grow the global movement calling on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. This critical need is called 30x30. By safeguarding at least 30% of our land and ocean through a network of highly protected areas we can help ensure a healthy home for all!
More info about World Oceans Day Conservation Action:
The Importance of Marine Sanctuaries:
Marine sanctuaries are an essential tool for protecting and preserving ocean biodiversity, fish stocks, resources, and sustainability.
The National Marine Sanctuary System:
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 14 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 14 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.
Explore your National Marine Sanctuary System;
Scroll down for virtual dives at the different Sanctuaries and for
real time video and communication feeds from underwater:
Earth is Blue, Annual Magazine of the National Marine Sanctuaries:
NOAA Sanctuaries YouTube video library links: