The global ocean literacy movement began with a collaborative effort of like-minded individuals. This commentary highlights the role of marine education networks in the work of global ocean literacy, and discusses the importance of collaboration and action to promote a sustainable ocean future.
The words “Ocean Literacy” roll off the multilingual tongues of scientists, educators, and policy makers worldwide who understand the essential role of the ocean on this planet. However, this was not always the case. The Ocean Literacy campaign in the United States (US) was founded by individuals and institutions focused on raising awareness of the influence of the one global ocean on every living being on the planet. The original grassroots effort became a well-funded, well-organized campaign that spawned global initiatives that thrive to this day. Faced with a lack of critical resources, the US campaign currently relies on the services of dedicated members of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) whose vision of making known the world of water is part of their collective DNA.
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