Celebrating Our Interconnected Ocean
8 June 2021Every year, June 8 marks World Oceans Day—the UN-designated date to “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 on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.” Lofty goals for a singular day, but ones that call to attention to the need to mobilize and unite in service of our world’s ocean.
While geographers have divided it up into separate “oceans” with boundaries and names, it is truly one interconnected body of water that makes up about 71% of our Earth’s surface. This uniting force plays a vital role in providing the oxygen we breathe, regulating our climate so our planet is habitable, and offering livelihoods to millions of people worldwide.
The ocean is a global commons with a wide range of users, interests, and needs—which means that Meridian’s collaborative solution building work is critical. From aquaculture and commercial fisheries, to offshore energy, conservation, and recreation, we have worked on a wide range of ocean issues since our founding over two decades ago (including the intersection of all of these issues!). Across these spaces, we listen to diverse perspectives, build understanding, guide collaboration, and enable leaders and communities to act.
From empowering local partners to build a community-based movement around oceans and coasts in Mexico (music video included!), to advancing the intersection of social justice and ocean policy at Capitol Hill Oceans Week, our work around this common resource is anything but one-size-fits-all. And working across such a range of issues with the opportunity to listen, learn, and support the needs of so many stakeholders has only strengthened our appreciation for the importance of the ocean.
That’s why this June 8, we are celebrating our interconnected, essential ocean. We invite you to join us—and wherever you are, take a breath and thank this life-giving natural resource. To learn more about the many ways that Meridian does good for the ocean and for the world, explore a small sample of our ocean work around the world on the interactive map below:
Learn more about our ocean work
The world’s ocean is a shared—and critical—resource. Meridian specializes in developing policies and partnerships that advance sustainable ocean and coastal management.