World Oceans Day 2026
World Oceans Day, the importance of protecting 70 % of our planet
Since 2008, 8 June has been World Oceans Day, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of caring for an ecosystem that produces 50% of our planet's oxygen and absorbs 30% of the carbon dioxide produced on our planet.
The discharge of plastics into the oceans has accelerated exponentially in recent decades and now exceeds 11 million tonnes per year, according to the United Nations (UN). The international organisation estimates that more than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by this pollution through ingestion, entanglement and other hazards, and the annual social and environmental cost of this type of plastic pollution ranges from $300 billion to $600 billion.
In 2008 the UN proclaimed 8 June as World Oceans Day
Enlace externo, se abre en ventana nueva. with the aim of raising awareness of the key role the oceans play in safeguarding life on our planet and highlighting the extent to which our main “lung” is suffering from the temperature changes resulting from climate change.
The importance of oceans
The oceans are essential to life on Earth. They cover three-quarters of the Earth's surface, contain 97 % of the Earth's water and account for 99 % of the planet's living space by volume, according to the UN.
What’s more, these vast bodies of water produce 50% of our planet's oxygen and capture 23 % of annual CO2 emissions generated by human activity, according to UN estimates. They also help mitigate the effects of climate change by absorbing 90 % of the excess heat caused by climate change. And as if that were not enough, the sea provides essential natural resources such as food, medicines and biofuels. However, large-scale exploitation of the marine ecosystem is causing almost constant degradation, worsening living conditions in the ocean.
Oceans are key to our planet's future
The problems caused by pollution
Plastic pollution in the oceans has worsened steadily in recent years. According to the European Parliament there are already more than 150 million tonnes of plastic in the seas, and ever-increasing amounts are being dumped every year. As a result, microplastics have entered the food chain, posing a health risk.
Another serious problem is global warming, which is raising ocean temperatures to record levels. This causes phenomena such as marine heatwaves, which are capable of destroying highly valuable ecosystems and coral reefs in various parts of the world.
Furthermore, rising temperatures reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, harming many marine species. Added to this situation are discharges of untreated sewage and fuel spills, which continue to severely pollute the oceans.
Coral reefs are one of the most affected ecosystems. The increasing acidification of the oceans is causing their deterioration and death. It is estimated that a sustained increase of 10% to 30% in acidification could destroy more than half of the coral reefs, seriously disrupting the balance of marine ecosystems.
Theme of World Oceans Day 2026: 'Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean'
According to the UN, we have only explored around 10 % of the ocean – despite our total dependence on it. Even though we are aware of the state of the oceans, society does not seem to have taken a stand on the issue. That is why the theme for World Oceans Day 2026 is 'Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean'. A theme in which the idea of conceiving a new life for the oceans – and therefore for the living beings inhabiting the planet – is very much present, referring to the duty we as citizens have to care for and protect it.
Background to the celebration of World Oceans Day 2026
United Nations World Oceans Day will be celebrated on 8 June 2026. The event coincides with the Ocean Impact Summit 2026 (OIS), organised by the Indonesian government on 8 to 9 June 2026 in Bali. This is a high-level international summit bringing together world leaders, investors and experts to explore the potential of the blue economy and seek solutions to over-exploitation and climate change.
World Oceans Day also serves as a prelude to the 7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB 2026), scheduled for 17-20 November 2026 in Bruges (Belgium) and organised by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), which will address the main challenges of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. What’s more, the conference forms part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 to 2030), a global initiative coordinated by the IOC-UNESCO to promote innovative solutions and more sustainable management of the oceans.
How can you take action to protect the environment?
The UN recommends that to mark World Oceans Day citizens take concrete action to protect the seas and raise awareness of their importance. Some of the most widely publicised recommendations are:
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Waste and pollution management
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Reduce single-use plastics such as bags, bottles or straws.
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Recycle properly and avoid littering on beaches, in rivers or down drains.
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Do not litter in natural areas such as beaches, rivers and drains.
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Take part in beach clean-ups to contribute directly to coastal conservation.
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Climate action and consumption
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Using sustainable transport and consuming responsibly reduces polluting emissions, global warming and its effects on the oceans
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Eat sustainable fish, sourced from responsible fishing practices.
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Information, education and awareness
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Staying informed and understanding marine issues enables us to make more responsible decisions.
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Sharing content and campaigns helps to raise social awareness about ocean conservation.
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Promoting educational activities in schools and regions encourages sustainable habits from an early age.
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Iberdrola en la preservación de los océanos y sus ecosistemas
Desde Iberdrola también trabajamos para cuidar nuestros pulmones azules y lo hacemos mediante propuestas concretas. Trabajamos para fomentar la conservación de la flora y la fauna marina en nuestros parques eólicos offshore. Así hacemos estudios de monitorización y protección de mamíferos marinos, como las marsopas en el entorno de nuestro parque eólico marino East Anglia One, seguimiento y preservación de aves en la mayoría de nuestras instalaciones offshore e incluso aplicamos soluciones, como el despliegue de colchones ecológicos de protección de cables en Vineyard Wind I.
También evitamos la contaminación del agua al optimizar su gestión, evitar su captación en áreas con estrés hídrico y limitar el consumo de aguas continentales en todas las tecnologías.
Además, apoyamos las nuevas tecnologías para la protección de la fauna a través de nuestro programa internacional de start-ups PERSEO con retos para proteger la biodiversidad marina y minimizar el impacto de la actividad humana.