Virginia Beach City Council: Issue a proclamation designating June 8, 2012 as World Oceans Day

Dear Virginia Beach Resident:

On June 8, 2012, hundreds of aquariums, zoos, museums and conservation organizations around the world, will join with thousands of individuals in celebrating World Oceans Day -- a time of fun, inspirational and educational events celebrating the world's oceans. This year’s theme is Youth: the Next Wave for Change. The goal is to encourage young people to view protecting the ocean as a way of life. The focus is on kids because they are the most knowledgeable and motivated segment when it comes to the environment and its protection.

World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as an opportunity to honor the world's ocean.  In December 2008, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized June 8 as World Oceans Day. Since then, the Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network — along with their 1,200 associated organizations — have been promoting and celebrating World Oceans Day every year.  Of note, in 2010, Dr. Seuss partnered with them to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Seuss' classic book, "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish".

We are asking over 1,000 adult residents of Virginia Beach to sign our petition asking the Virginia Beach City Council to issue a proclamation designating June 8, 2012 as World Oceans Day.  The City of Virginia Beach depends upon a clean and healthy ocean for its quality of life, health and economy. The ocean is so vital to us every day, but all too often overlooked and taken for granted. “World Oceans Day" provides an opportunity to focus special attention on our world's shared oceans. We can celebrate our personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the increasingly critical need for each of us to help conserve its wonders and resources.We respectfully ask that you add your name to our petition.

Thank you for considering our request.

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