World Ocean(s) Day

I know, I know... posts have been few and far between here at MBSL&S. Work and life (are those separate things?) have been on overdrive for well over a month now. I think I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, but the ocean conservation biz has been on full-on frenetic pace of late. But as I'm reminded, busy is good.

However I'd be remiss if I didn't poke my head out of my rabbit hole long enough to acknowledge the very first World Ocean(s) Day. That's right, every June 8th will now be the official United Nations-recognized day to celebrate the global importance of our ocean planet.

Now the official title is World Oceans Day, but here's the thing... it's more accurately World Ocean Day. There is only ONE ocean. Take a look at a globe if you don't believe me.

Most of our planet is covered by ocean. The Southern Hemisphere, with only one-third of the land area on Earth, could easily be called the Ocean Hemisphere. The ocean is the major distinguishing feature of Earth, making our planet different from all others in the known solar system.

We now know that the "seven seas" of maritime lore are a romantic relic. In truth, these "seas" are ocean basins within one large expanse of global ocean. In our modern world--where the consequences of our actions are often global--what's put into one "sea" may very well end up on the shores of another, halfway around the world. Perhaps now more than any time in history, it's important to realize there's only one ocean.

The ocean is a vast, watery engine that drives global climate, creates continental as well as oceanic weather, and ultimately controls all biological productivity on Earth. Without the ocean, the water planet would cease to exist. All life would vanish.

So yay, ocean! Now go tell two people that it's World Ocean Day. The use of the singular "ocean" in no way implies "diminished". In this particular case, less is indeed more.