June is a month for celebrations, including those focused on our world ocean. In the United States, our President proclaims the month of June as National Ocean Month and “call[s] upon Americans to take action to protect, conserve, and restore our ocean and coasts.” Each year, there is a different focus for the Presidential proclamation. I’ve compiled the prior proclamations going back to 2006, and here is a link to A Proclamation on National Ocean Month, 2023.
This year, President Biden calls attention to climate change, ocean acidification, new national marine sanctuaries, and the ocean economy. His proclamation highlights the United States Ocean Climate Action Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and America the Beautiful Initiative.
“It is hard to imagine just how much of the ocean we have yet to discover and what possibilities for the future of human and planetary health, as well as for our economy, lie beneath its surface. This National Ocean Month, let us honor its beauty and bounty with action and commit to protecting and conserving it for generations to come.” — White House Briefing Room/Presidential Actions
There are other sources of information for National Ocean Month available online, from the U.S. Census Bureau to NOAA and NASA.
The work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) extends from the surface of the Sun to the depths of the ocean floor. Every year, NOAA has a very active 30 Days of the Ocean campaign. Their website shares the weekly themes, infographics, and ocean fact videos (and there are >340 ocean facts available from NOAA!). Be sure to search social media for the hashtag #OceanMonthNOAA.
Today kicks off #NationalOceanMonth, a time to celebrate our world ocean.
From corals to coasts, restoration to resilience, & more, stay tuned all month as we shine the spotlight on ocean literacy & awareness:https://t.co/uOMx2NfeUs@noaaocean #OceanMonthNOAA #MarineLife pic.twitter.com/ALyMT1XW0K
— NOAA (@NOAA) June 1, 2023
NASA is engaged in research in our own water world, as well as the search for water on other planetary bodies. NASA explains Why NASA Studies the Ocean and has a post on tumblr Ways NASA Studies the Ocean. Although National Ocean Month is focused on Planet Earth, one can explore how learning about our own ocean assists NASA on understanding water in our solar system and beyond, as well as astrobiology and Earth’s ocean.
Does #NASA study the ocean? Yes, it does.
For #WorldOceansMonth, which starts tomorrow, follow along as we show you how we study one of Earth’s largest ecosystems. https://t.co/Yuoj8PEIa1 pic.twitter.com/7DBBtUVReL
— NASAOcean (@NASAOcean) May 31, 2023
The following are prior blog posts that discuss National Ocean Month and World Ocean Day (June 8):
Other ocean-related celebrations taking place in June include:
- World Reef Awareness Day (June 1)
- World Environment Day (June 5)
- World Oceans Day (June 8)
- World Sea Turtle Day (June 16)
- World Hydrography Day (June 21)
- Day of the Seafarer (June 25)