As the ocean’s role in combating the climate crisis gains greater recognition, ocean literacy has never been more essential. It connects knowledge with behaviour and societal transformation, empowering individuals to take informed, impactful actions to protect the ocean and address climate change.
At a European level, the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) has taken a leading role in advancing ocean literacy efforts. EMSEA serves as a network of marine educators, advocating for a unified voice across Europe and beyond. Its mission is to act as a hub for the European marine education community, promoting and delivering ocean literacy through collaboration with scientists, teachers, policymakers, and the public.
In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Ocean Literacy concept, Juanita Zorrilla, from SUBMON, represented OCEAN CITIZEN at the EMSEA 2024 conference in Zadar, Croatia. She presented the project focusing on the critical role of ocean literacy in raising awareness and fostering engagement. During her presentation, she also emphasised the importance of integrating art and storytelling into the scientific dialogue on ocean literacy. Overall, the event highlighted the growing impact of ocean literacy, focusing on empowering individuals to tackle today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The conference provided a platform for practitioners from diverse disciplines and countries to share their progress, achievements, and challenges in ocean literacy. It showcased how ocean literacy is contributing to a broad range of fields, including science, education, policy, communications, inclusivity, and research.
Our participation in the 2024 EMSEA conference in Croatia was a fantastic opportunity to showcase OCEAN CITIZEN’s commitment to ocean literacy and to celebrate 20 years of the Ocean Literacy movement, reflecting on both the progress achieved and the challenges that lie ahead.
