Jamaica: World Oceans Day School Project

Each year on the 8^th June, people come together to celebrate World Oceans Day. This annual event provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of the ocean, its marine life and activities upon the planet and its people. For Caribbean islands like Jamaica, where lives and livelihoods depend upon healthy waters, this day is of particular significance. It allows the challenges of marine pollution, rising sea levels and declining fish stocks to be at the forefront of discussions. This year, the theme of World Oceans Day is 'Planet Ocean: Tides are changing', which places emphasis on a whole-of-society approach to tackling issues such as these. In honour of the 2023 theme, UN agencies in Jamaica are coordinating efforts and engaging with the early childhood community with the Beat Plastic Pollution JA project:

In collaboration with national organisations and institutes, UN Jamaica (UNEP, CEP, UNICEF, UNESCO, UN Women, FAO) in partnership with the Zero Waste in the Caribbean initiative will deliver an interactive presentation to young children, at the Port Royal Marine Lab in Kingston, on World Oceans Day.

• The purpose of this event is to increase awareness of marine pollution across the younger population, and to stimulate sustainable action at all levels of society.
• By taking part in various activities that deepen their understanding of and connection to oceans, the project hopes to empower young people to be drivers of change.

To learn more about this project and other events related to World Oceans Day, read about #UNWorldOceansDay2023 and #ZeroWasteCaribbean initiatives. It is time for humanity to change the tide and wave goodbye to harmful marine practices.

More about: Zero Waste in the Caribbean