June 8 - World Oceans day.  Beneath our oceans, lie a wondrous array of marine life, most of which is yet to be discovered!

The ocean puts food on the table and underpins trillions of dollars of economic activity worldwide. It does all this freely. But not for long. The ocean is heading for a collapse.

Because the ocean belongs to everyone – and to no one – too many have taken too much. Centuries of overuse and neglect threaten to leave us with a vast blue desert. It is time to change the way we see the ocean – from a place where we take what we want and dump what we don't, to a shared resource of immense value.

WWF is working to generate a new wave of support for sustainable seas. We will show leaders how a healthy ocean fosters economic development. We will celebrate and scale up the work of coastal and fishing communities to protect the resources they depend on. And we'll give everyone the opportunity to speak out for our blue planet.

Coral Reefs
With their jewel hues and dazzling diversity of shapes and sizes, coral reefs are natural eye candy. And that's beauty with a purpose: Worldwide, reefs provide livelihoods, food and tourism estimated to be worth nearly a trillion dollars each year.

Habitat destruction
People destroy fragile marine habitats in multiple ways, from small scale to large. Whether it's harmful fishing gear or pollution from inland farms and cities, such destruction is the result of putting short-term gain over our long-term well-being.

But how to start to support the ocean?
If we restore the balance, the ocean can contribute to food security, livelihoods, a healthy climate and more. The solutions exist — now it's time for action. If humanity is to realize the full benefits of the ocean – and recognizing the multiple, growing pressures it faces – we urgently need a set of guidelines and 'guardrails' for investment and development policy. Read more here.

More ideas to help expand the reach and impact of World Oceans Day on June 8 and year-round here.

June 8, 2017 Living photo: Kerala Tourism

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