People on the beach in Penzance Dominik Pearce

Explore how ocean literacy helps us understand our role in protecting the ocean

How does the ocean influence us and how do we influence the ocean?

Ocean literacy is often defined as “an understanding of your influence on the ocean, and it’s influence on you”.

In the beginning: The concept of ocean literacy was originally developed in the USA in 2004 by a group of educators to encourage teaching about the ocean in formal education. Ocean literacy was focused on improving people’s knowledge about the ocean.

What’s changed: Since the early 2000s, the concept of ocean literacy has been used globally to encourage positive action. This growth led to recognition that knowledge was not the only important dimension for a person to be ocean literate – someone could have a strong connection with the ocean which is based on how they feel, or an experience they have had.

Farne lighthouse, Kirsty Andrews

Credit: Kirsty Andrews

To accommodate this, ten elements of ocean literacy have been identified. Below you can read about each of these, alongside some examples of how you could develop your ocean literacy.

The ten elements of ocean literacy

Why does it matter?

Our goal is creating a society deeply connected to our marine environment and ready to take positive action for our blue planet. We're all on a journey to becoming ocean literate by developing our understanding and appreciation of our ocean.

Read on to learn more about the ocean literacy principles.

The Ocean Literacy Principles

Explore your connection to the ocean through the seven essential principles of ocean literacy.

Principle 1

The Earth has one large ocean

The ocean covers about 70% of our planet. Our one ocean has a global circulation system that moves cold and warm water around the world.

Cornwall seascape, Sam Mansfield

Credit: Sam Mansfield

Principle 2

The ocean and life within it shape Earth’s features

The ocean plays a key part in sculpting our landscape through sea level changes, coastal erosion and sand distribution.

Big seaweed search people

Credit: Kate Whitton

Principle 3

The ocean greatly affects weather and climate

The ocean absorbs, stores and cycles carbon, water and heat which determines our climate and weather conditions.

Storm and waves hitting pier

Credit: Marcus Woodbridge via unsplash

Principle 4

The ocean makes Earth suitable for life

The ocean makes life on Earth possible by providing water, oxygen, and nutrients. Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere originally came from the activities of ocean organisms.

Seagrass underwater Bembridge

Credit: Theo Vickers

Principle 5

The ocean supports a wide variety of life and ecosystems

The ocean contains the greatest diversity of life on our planet ranging from the smallest living thing to the largest animal found on Earth.

Cuttlefish and Ballan Wrasse -Porthkerris, Cornwall- RS32495-Georgie Bull

Credit: Georgie Bull

Principle 6

The ocean and humans are deeply connected

Humans rely on the ocean for oxygen, food, energy, medicine, jobs, transportation and recreation. Spending time by the coast and sea also makes us feel happier and healthier.

View over Rhossili Bay Wales David King Photography

Credit: David King Photography via Shutterstock

Principle 7

The ocean is largely unexplored

The ocean is very big, and most of it remains a mystery. Humans have explored less than 5% of our underwater world.

Jellyfish - tavis-beck - unsplash

Credit: Tavis Beck

Resources

To learn more about ocean literacy, download our free posters and leaflet.

Interested to find out more? Email us at hyym@mcsuk.org.