Assembly Resolution No. 708 BY: M. of A. Williams RECOGNIZING June 8, 2023, as World Oceans Day WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to observe those events of true purpose and worthy accomplishment that recognize the need for the understanding of preserving our oceans, and instilling educational tenets to this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, New York State understands the importance of preserving and contributing to the maintenance of oceans and understands the importance that our oceans play in the cycle of preserving a proper balance in the ecosystem; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize June 8, 2023, as World Oceans Day; and WHEREAS, World Oceans Day, which takes place every June 8th, was originally put forward in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development; and WHEREAS, At the first World Oceans Day in 1992, the objectives were to move the oceans from the sidelines to the center of the intergovernmental and discussions and policy, and to strengthen the voice of ocean and coastal constituencies worldwide; and WHEREAS, Since 2002, there has been a concerted effort to promote World Oceans Day as a unique opportunity to celebrate the ocean, our connections, and make a real difference; and WHEREAS, World Oceans Day events are celebrated on June 8th, the closest weekend, the week, and the month of June; and WHEREAS, The day is marked in a variety of ways, including launching new campaigns and initiatives, special events at aquariums and zoos, outdoor explorations, aquatic and beach cleanups, educational and conservation action programs, art contests, film festivals, and sustainable seafood events; youth have been playing an increasingly important role since 2015; and WHEREAS, Climate change is one of the most pressing problems facing humanity and our planet; the theme for this year's World Oceans Day, "Wetlands and Climate Change", draws attention to the vital role of wetlands as a natural solution to cope with climate change; and WHEREAS, With annual rates of ocean depletion accelerating from 2000, losses have been driven by megatrends such as climate change, population increase, urbanization, particularly of coastal zones and river deltas, and changing consumption patterns that have all fueled changes to land and water use and to agriculture; and WHEREAS, If there is an outward sign about the health of our planet it is to be gauged by the vitality of our oceans, with New York State bounded by the Atlantic and having so many waterways, no more special occasion can exist than World Oceans Day; and WHEREAS, We must recognize the importance and the life cycle our oceans play in our daily lives; if we are not to honor the largest physical presence on our planet we will not be able to add to their intended perpetuity and how vital our oceans are to us as humans and New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, The proliferation of pollution and plastics within our oceans are beginning to have detrimental effects on our daily way of life, and we must take preemptive steps to allow for the symbiotic and mutual relationship we share with our oceans to heal and to foster only positivity for our environment; the importance of World Oceans Day cannot be underscored; and WHEREAS, New York State understands the importance of preserving and contributing to the maintenance of oceans and understands the importance that our oceans play in the cycle of preserving a proper balance in the ecosystem; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to observe those events of true purpose and worthy accomplishment that recognize the need for the understanding of preserving our oceans, and instilling educational tenets to our great state; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize June 8, 2023, as World Oceans Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to World Oceans Day events throughout the State of New York.