You’re more Ocean literate than you think

Understanding the everyday knowledge and instincts that connect all of us to the Ocean.

A blog by Alana Wilson - Communications & Research @ The Ocean Literacy Project

All of us have a connection to the Ocean - whether it’s an unabashed love or a quiet appreciation….but I think it’s safe to say that unless you work in or around the Ocean, there’s probably something quite mystifying and foreign about it. If this sounds like your Ocean experience, then let this blog be your reintroduction and use it as a guide to bring the Ocean into your decision making.

It’s important to preface this with the fact that everyone has some knowledge or understanding of the Ocean, whether from lived experiences or from watching Blue Planet, it’s there, and Ocean literacy is all about building on that knowledge and fostering confidence to advocate for the Ocean.

So, what is Ocean Literacy?

It sounds like a complex skill that you probably only acquire by studying marine biology right? Well, luckily for us, it’s actually much more accessible. It’s a term that the UN adopted to help define their Ocean Decade (2021-2030). It was coined by a group of US scientists back in 2003 when they noticed a gap in formal education around ocean related subjects. The UN define Ocean Literacy as ‘the understanding of how the Ocean affects us – and how we affect the Ocean.’ The UN’s Ocean Literacy Framework is built on seven principles that encompass our relationship with the Ocean and serve as the foundation for education, stewardship, and sustainable decision-making.

The UN Seven Principles of Ocean Literacy:

1) Earth has one big Ocean with many features.

2) The Ocean & life in the Ocean shape the features of Earth.

3) The Ocean is a major influence on the weather & climate.

4) The Ocean makes Earth habitable.

5) The Ocean supports a great diversity of life & ecosystems.

6) The Ocean & humans are inextricably interconnected.

7) The Ocean is largely unexplored.

Like any life skill, everyone sits at a different level of understanding. Ocean literacy could be, for the everyday beach lover, understanding tide times and weather conditions affecting your safety. For others it shows up in small, everyday lifestyle choices, like reading every packet of seafood at the supermarket to find sustainable options or trying your best to either not buy or recycle plastic bottles because you know plastic pollution is seriously harmful for marine wildlife.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone…

Inaction can be fear in delay; and if you’re feeling scared or anxious about the state of the Oceans or the world today, that is totally valid and it’s a good thing, because it means you care. You’re not alone in this fear either - in 2021 ahead of COP26 the Office for National Statistics ran a study showing that 75% British adults were worried about the impact of climate change, and in 2025 53% of adults surveyed said climate change & the environment were an important issue facing the UK.

But Why Does Ocean Literacy Matter?

The real question is how and why should build your Ocean Literacy skills. Let’s start with the why, Ocean Literacy is a vital life skill, I know - how can I seriously be putting understanding the Ocean in the same category as empathy or communication – well, put simply, it encompasses all these principles. If you are Ocean literate you can make informed, responsible decisions on Ocean resources & conservation, with this you can then translate this awareness into action either by engaging in Ocean conservation or having the confidence to contact your local MP and councils to enact real policy level changes, both locally and globally. The Ocean covers around 70% of the earth so we’re pretty dependent on it for our survival, so if we choose to be ignorant in our understanding of it our health and wellbeing will suffer the consequences for generations to come.

Meet Yourself Where You Are Already

It feels redundant and stupid to keep pushing the narrative that small actions do matter because you’re probably as fed up as I am about people telling you this, but it really is true. It’s only one plastic bottle, said 1 billion people!

So, to help battle your climate anxiety - start small - if you’re already trying to reduce your plastic usage - keep going. Did you know that no one in the UK is ever more than two hours from the coast?.. so getting out and seeing the Ocean while engaging in local conservation efforts or groups can be a great way to either build or reintroduce that connection, and contrary to some beliefs, days out at aquariums or marine science centres can be a fun way to reconnect and learn more about the importance of our Oceans.

A Final Thought

To put it simply - the more we understand the Ocean, the better equipped we are to care for it, so get out there and experience it. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to start paying attention.

This is exactly what we’re building at the Ocean Literacy Project, moving from awareness to the kind of knowledge that informs how we live, work, and make decisions.

Alana Wilson, Communications & Research @ The Ocean Literacy Project