Ocean literacy is critical to engaging citizens in the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. Ocean literacy also has a crucial role in underpinning individual behavior changes that reduce pressure on sensitive ocean ecosystems (such as coral reefs) through catalyzing new lifestyle and consumer choices. A key challenge however is to identify and encourage appropriate behavior changes. The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre is actively exploring how ocean literacy can be catalyzed to generate behavior changes that support SDG14 targets. This involves working with new collaborators in disciplines including environmental psychology, micro-economics, and social marketing. The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre commits to sharing the results of our work to highlight effective strategies to catalyze ocean literacy and behavior change as a contribution to SDG14.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
Type of commitment
PLASTICS
- Coastal clean-ups
- Plastics recovery/recycling/reuse
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Other (please specify): ocean literacy
6/2018
