What to do about it

World Oceans Day on June 8th is our collective opportunity to increase awareness and act locally to make a difference globally. The theme for World Oceans Day 2011 is: "Our oceans: greening our future."

Each of us, no matter where we live, can help protect the health of the world's oceans. Ocean pollution, excess water consumption and overfishing all take a toll on ocean health. Simple choices, such as cycling or walking instead of driving, and using soap with all natural ingredients reduce ocean pollution. Taking shorter showers, using water collected by rain barrels for your garden and using high-efficiency laundry machines helps reduce how much water we use every day.

And, yes, selecting certified sustainable fish at the grocery store helps to protect the world's fish stocks.

A little effort by each of us can go a long way – the more people who make an effort, the greater the impact.