Today is World Oceans Day, a day that has been celebrated since 1992 and officially recognized by the UN in 2008. It is a day to honor the world’s oceans and all they provide for our planet, including a vast array of food, medicines, global transportation of people and goods, and education for people in regard to marine life and the importance it has for all life on Earth. As our oceans become more threatened by pollution, overfishing, and climate change, World Oceans Day is a poignant reminder that without their life-sustaining force, life would gradually cease existing. Everyone can participate in World Oceans Day in a number of ways:

Check to see if a beach cleanup is happening in your area.

Commit to purchasing and using less plastics, which all too often end up choking marine life in our seas.

Visit your local aquarium to gain a further appreciation for the ocean’s inhabitants.

Educate yourself on where your seafood is coming from, and make an effort to choose only sustainable products.

Visit the ocean and enjoy its beauty!

These are just a few ways you can celebrate World Oceans Day, but remember: you can do these things every day.

Image via Alexandre Van de Sande