News World Oceans Day 2020

World Oceans Day 2020

The theme of World Oceans Day 2020 is "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean". The oceans are facing unprecedented pressures from factors ranging from pollution to climate change.

Oceans cover 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface, and they hold 97 per cent of our planet’s water. World Oceans Day, celebrated across the world today, on June 8, is an annual event designed to encourage people to celebrate the oceans and take steps to protect ocean health.

Threats to oceans include pollution, overfishing, invasive species, and rising ocean acidity due to the extensive use of fossil fuels and of course plastic waste. This day is marked to remind global citizens that we should do our part in protecting our oceans with all that it and the rest of nature have given us.

As sailors, we need to become more aware and involved in protecting the oceans today and in the future. Optimist sailors can learn about the environmental challenges facing our oceans, lakes and rivers and the planet as a whole, as introduced in the IODA Version of the World Sailing Sustainability Education Program. 

On Earth Day, April 22, IODA started publishing each week the 6 Topics of the IODA Version of the World SailingSustainability Education Programme that was created by World Sailing, 11 Hour Racing and the Ocean Race.  The IODA Version has been updated with imagery from Matias Capizzano to identify better with Opti sailors.

The 6 Topics are as follows:

  1. Race with World Sailing
  2. Resources & Climate Change
  3. Navigating Wildlife & Biodiversity
  4. Reducing Waste
  5. Oil & Fuel
  6. Boat Cleaning & Maintenance

The programme targeted to 6-12 years consists of a Booklet, Trainer’s Guide and Worksheets.   Optimist sailors can learn and discover the challenges and solutions to keeping the oceans and planet safe for a sustainable future.   

To find the programme materials for the 6 Topics of the the IODA Version of the Sustainability Education Programme, go here.   Download them for free and share them with your sailors, coaches and parents, so that everyone can learn how to protect the environment and the field of play of our sport.  

Sustainability and the protection of the environment and oceans is a fundamental issue and strategic focus of the Optimist Class. 

Together we can all do our part in protecting our oceans.