Press Release
World Ocean Day commemorated at INCOIS on June 08, 2021
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India commemorated the World Ocean Day on June 08, 2021 in virtual mode. “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” is the theme for World Oceans Day 2021. This theme is directly relevant to the activities of INCOIS, which is one of the leading institutes in the field of Operational Oceanography, and is pursuing a focussed mandate on Ocean Observations, Modelling, Information and Advisory Services.
The oceans cover over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming. The oceans are the key to our economy and are the driving force for monsoons, flywheel of climate and origin of hazards such as cyclones, tsunamis and sea level rise. World Ocean Day is commemorated to remind every one of the major role the oceans have in everyday life and the need to protect the rapidly declining ocean health and manage it sustainably.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Director INCOIS highlighted that the services provided by INCOIS, such as the Tsunami and Storm Surge Early Warnings, Ocean State Forecasts, Potential Fishing Zone advisories and Ocean Data Services are proved to have immense socio-economic benefits for a wide range of stakeholders and enhance the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities. Dr. Satish Shetye, a world-renowned physical oceanographer, Former Director of the National Institute of Oceanography and Chairperson of the Research Advisory Council of INCOIS delivered a n exciting talk on “Physics of the Ocean at India’s doorstep”. The talk highlighted the importance of ocean observations in understanding the shelf currents along the Indian Coast.
This was followed by release of a video produced by Ms. Sunanda Narayanan a researcher at IIT-Kharagpur representing a group of Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). The video highlighted the important research work undertaken by ECOPs in understanding the oceans and its contribution to the societal outcomes of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable development (UN Ocean Decade). Winners of an art competition conducted by the ECOPs on the occasions of the World Ocean Day were also announced.
It may be recalled that the Ocean Decade 2021 – 2030, being coordinated by the IOC of UNESCO, is a unique opportunity to engage the ocean science community in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals – globally, regionally and locally. The Ocean Decade will strengthen the international cooperation needed to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has established a high-level National Decade Coordinating Committee (NDCC) chaired by Dr. Rajeevan, Secretary, MoES to coordinate national contributions to the Ocean Decade, engage national stakeholders and enhance their access to Decade benefits.
8th June 2021.
INCOIS, Hyderabad
