Every February 20th is World Whale Day, an opportunity to celebrate the majesty and mystery of the largest animals on the planet. It is also a day to raise awareness about the challenges faced by whales in our oceans across the globe.
World Whale Day was founded in Maui, Hawaii in 1980 to honor humpback whales, which swim off of the coast of this tropical island. This day seeks to appreciate these majestic creatures and their important role in our environment. It’s a chance for us to recognize how vital it is that we protect them from threats such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
The History of World Whale Day
The idea for World Whale Day was first proposed by environmentalist and whale-lover Paul Watson at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1979. The IWC adopted his proposal, making February 20th an official holiday dedicated to raising awareness about whales and their conservation.
Since then, World Whale Day has become an international event celebrated around the world with educational events, art shows, film screenings, beach cleanups, and more! Every year on this day people come together to learn more about whales and take action to help protect them.
Why Is It Important To Protect Whales?
Whales are some of the most incredible creatures on earth – they can dive deeper than any other animal and can communicate with each other over vast distances using sound waves! They are also incredibly important for maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems – they provide food for predators like sharks and orcas; their waste helps fertilize plankton which form the base of many marine food webs; and they play a critical role in regulating global climate by storing carbon dioxide in their bodies.
Unfortunately, whales face many threats today due to human activities such as overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear or plastic debris – all of which can have devastating impacts on whale populations around the world. That’s why it’s so important that we do everything we can to protect them!
What Can You Do On World Whale Day?
On World Whale Day there are lots of ways you can get involved! Here are just a few ideas:
- Attend or organize an educational event about whales – this could be anything from a lecture or panel discussion to a film screening or art show!
- Take part in beach cleanups or other volunteer activities that help keep our oceans clean
- Donate money or time to organizations working hard to protect whales
- Spread awareness about whale conservation through social media posts or blogs
By taking part in activities like these on World Whale Day we can all help make sure that these amazing creatures continue to thrive for generations to come!
