Our oceans, the lifeblood of our planet, face unprecedented challenges. The intricate web of life they support, and their fundamental role in regulating global climate, are increasingly threatened by human activity. Recognizing this, the development of the Ocean Literacy Guide marked a significant step towards fostering a society equipped to understand and address these complexities. This guide, with its seven Essential Principles and forty-five Fundamental Concepts, provides a crucial framework for formal education, integrating essential ocean science into curricula. However, the journey towards a truly ocean-literate world extends far beyond the classroom. Informal learning environments, where engagement and discovery happen organically, are equally vital in cultivating a deep and lasting connection with our marine ecosystems. Understanding how these informal initiatives contribute to, and align with, established ocean literacy frameworks is therefore paramount.
Our recent systematic literature review aimed to bridge this knowledge gap, characterizing informal ocean science education efforts globally and examining their concordance with the Ocean Literacy Guide. By applying rigorous PRISMA principles, we analyzed thirty-two empirical studies. The findings reveal a landscape where informal programs are indeed striving to connect their efforts to ocean literacy. However, this representation is not uniform. A notable bias emerges, with a stronger emphasis on the biodiversity of marine life and the human impact on the ocean, both detrimental and beneficial. While these areas are undeniably important, the uneven distribution suggests opportunities for broader and more comprehensive engagement with the full spectrum of ocean science principles.
This study underscores the critical role of informal educators as partners in the vital mission of ocean education reform. While acknowledging the inherent limitations of our coding methodology, the observed trends have led us to a key recommendation: the potential development of an eighth Essential Principle for the Ocean Literacy Guide. This new principle would aim to capture the multifaceted consequences of climate change on the ocean and the profound human contribution to these shifts, reflecting a more integrated understanding of the interconnected challenges we face. By providing a more complete framework, we can better support informal educators in creating impactful learning experiences that inspire stewardship and cultivate the informed, engaged global citizenry our oceans urgently need.