Oceans Month Time to Celebrate Natural Treasures

As President Obama said in proclaiming June National Oceans Month, the world’s oceans are “natural treasures,” providing habitats for scores of species that are appreciated by people worldwide.

A North Pacific humpback whale breaking the water’s surface is a reminder that our oceans are “natural treasures,” as President Obama called them when he proclaimed June National Oceans Month. The oceans provide a habitat for scores of species, he pointed out, as well as playing a vital role in transportation, economics, trade and security and linking countries across the globe.

Millions of tourists each year enjoy the oceans’ natural attractions, and people the world over depend on the oceans’ waters to earn a living. But as noted by the organizers of World Oceans Day 2014, observed June 8, problems such as pollution, the decline in fisheries and ocean acidification threaten the oceans’ future.

These problems are among the issues Secretary of State John Kerry wants to address when he convenes the Our Ocean 2014 conference in Washington June 16–17. The conference will bring together high-level government representatives from around the world, scientists, the environmental community, industry representatives and others to address shared challenges and find ways we can all work together to chart the way toward a healthy ocean.