Ocean literacy is good for the sea, good for mental health too

Researchers at the University of Plymouth, UK, have found that ‘beach cleans’ aren’t just good for the sea but can also boost mental health and encourage better behaviour.

The researchers asked 90 participants to complete one of three activities: a coastal walk (the most common activity people do on the coast), a beach clean (recording and removing rubbish found) or rock pooling (exploring species in the pools of water) at low tide.

The results showed that participants were happy being on the coast, regardless of the activity, but beach cleaning was the most meaningful and enriching experience.

On 21 September, the EU4Ocean Coalition organised the MakeEUBlue: From Source to Shores campaign to tackle plastic pollution and raise awareness about the deep interconnectedness of all the water bodies that unite us. We now know that it is likely to have also been a meaningful experience for many.

Taking the ocean for granted

While we may not often dwell on it as we go about our daily lives, the reality is that much of our existence, including elements we often take for granted, such as the weather and the air we breathe, is intricately connected to the ocean.

The ocean is a defining physical feature of our planet and a resource once believed to be infinite. It covers approximately 70% of Earth’s surface, and 97% of Earth’s water is in the ocean. The ocean is a source of great wealth, and more than one-third (2.75 billion) of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the coast.

Fourteen of the world’s 17 megacities are on the coasts, and the ocean economy generates more than US $1.5–2.5 trillion per year, providing over 30 million formal jobs while supporting the livelihoods of another 500 million people employed informally in artisanal and small-scale fisheries.

It is also a significant source of food.

Fish and other aquatic foods feed over three billion people, 40% of the world’s population. The ocean provides joy, peace, recreation, and spiritual sustenance. It has been feared and revered for thousands of years, inspiring art and shaping cultures.

Nevertheless, although it remains largely unexplored (less than 20%), human activity is pushing the ocean’s resources to the brink. This is why understanding it has become imperative, together with the understanding that everyone is responsible for the ocean’s care.

What is Ocean Literacy?

It was not until 2002 that a group of ocean scientists and education professionals in the USA decided to develop a comprehensive framework to encourage the inclusion of ocean sciences in the national curriculum, which had been lacking until then.

Understanding the impact of the ocean on us and our impact on the ocean is fundamental to ocean literacy, based on seven principles: 1) The Earth has one big ocean with many features. 2) The ocean and life within it shape the features of the Earth. 3) The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate. 4) The ocean makes the Earth habitable. 5) The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems. 6) The ocean and humans are interconnected, and 7) The ocean is largely unexplored.

The scope of ocean literacy is now much broader and covers programmes and activities in both formal and informal education and communication. This will ensure that an emotional connection to the ocean and a behaviour change are seen as legitimate goals, just as much as the exchange of knowledge.

The European Ocean Coalition – EU4Ocean

The EU4Ocean Coalition brings together various EU-wide activities and actions for the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean (including the North Sea), the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the global ocean.

Funded by the European Commission, the coalition is a project implemented by a consortium of 13 European partners. Its main aim is to increase the awareness and engagement of all those involved in the sustainable management of our oceans and seas.

The coalition comprises the EU4Ocean Platform, the Youth4Ocean Forum, and the Network of Blue Schools.

The EU4Ocean Platform combines existing ocean literacy projects and connects different groups working on ocean literacy to create a united community. It is also a central hub for European ocean literacy work during the UN 10-year ocean science and education plan 2021-2030.

The Youth4Ocean Forum actively engages young people in ocean literacy efforts. At the same time, the Network of Blue Schools aims to build bridges between ocean professionals and schools, empowering schools to become agents of change.

By emphasising ocean literacy, the EU4Ocean Coalition will help coalition members become ocean advocates and agents of change in their respective regions. It also wants to ensure the implementation of marine and maritime policy efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030, particularly SDG 14, Life below water.

What’s more, the benefits of the public’s involvement in understanding the ocean can be easily seen.

In August, researchers from the University of Queensland published a study that found that informing visitors to the Great Barrier Reef about climate impact did not affect their experience and even helped encourage climate action.

They found that "responses on the acceptability of additional information suggest that there is an appetite for more information among visitors, particularly regarding climate actions and solutions.”

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]