With many Torontonians focused on the health of the air they breathe, a pop-up immersive experience at the Toronto Reference Library on Thursday hoped to remind them of the health of our oceans.
Ocean Wise, a non-profit organization that advocates for ocean conservation set up a six-metre dome projecting 360-degree 4K underwater footage to help mark World Ocean Day.
A look of the sea dome experience on the outside Photo credit: Asma Sahebzada
“The ocean is critical to life on this planet,” Ocean Wise program manager Mercedes Bosch Toca said. “We need it for the food that we eat, the air that we breathe, and the general lifestyle that we enjoy.”
Around 150 participants RSVP’d a ticket to the event to learn about the wonders of the ocean. Upon entering the Ocean dome, they were immersed under the sea, watching captivating footage of marine life like sharks and seals.
Bosch Toca said the Ocean Dome is focused on educating participants on three major ocean threats: climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
Footage inside the sea dome of sharks in the ocean Photo credit: Asma Sahebzada
Last summer, the traveling sea dome visited Alberta and Saskatchewan, while this year, the pop-up event in Toronto was part of its 14-week tour of Manitoba and Ontario.
Leading the demonstration was Kiran Gosal, Ocean Wise’s assistant manager of mobile programs. Even though the tour is visiting cities far away from oceans, he said he hopes it motivates people to make a change, especially in light of the recent forest fires across the nation.
“Even if you’re not connected to an ocean, you have power,” Gosal said. “The power is in your hands as consumers and as concerned citizens, we have the power to make a change, so whether that comes to taking the bus to work instead of driving or buying something from a local farmer’s market instead of going to a large chain store, these things have an impact.”
The Arctic 'Ocean Wise' station with artifacts Photo credit: Asma Sahebzada
Outside the dome, expert marine educators spoke about ocean conservation at several stations where artifacts like polar bear fur, sea turtle shells and seal pelts were on display.
World Ocean Day is annually observed around the globe on June 8 to educate and raise awareness on the importance of the ocean in hopes to influence others to take action in protecting the underwater world.
Meghan Callon, the communications and design lead for the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, said that any initiative for World Ocean Day, big or small, has an impact.
Sustainably sourced polar bear fur on display at the arctic station Photo credit: Asma Sahebzada
“What’s spectacular is that there are many small community events happening and it’s these community events that bring in that local knowledge and that local engagement that really makes things impactful,” Callon said.
“It’s been so inspiring to see the idea of the celebration and the brand itself starting to become well-known across the country,” she said.
The next stop on the sea dome tour is at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa from June 30 to July 4.
More information about World Ocean Day and the sea dome tour is available at ocean.org.