From ocean issues to solutions: The role of public ocean literacy

Abstract

Public awareness and understanding of ocean issues is key to generating the political will to address these problems. The case for the importance of an ocean literate public in moving from issues to solutions has been made in a series of reports by national commissions starting with the Stratton Commission in 1969. Since 2004 there has been a renewed interest in promoting ocean literacy both at the K-12 grade levels and of the general public. Aquariums and other informal science institutions are seen as key players. The Aquarium of the Pacific has focused on public ocean literacy and during its 10th anniversary year has embarked upon a major initiative to bring major ocean issues to the public in new and novel ways, to evaluate the efficacy of these modalities, and through a national conference in May 2009 to bring scientific experts together with experts in exhibit design, film-making, environmental journalism, and story-telling to develop a portfolio of materials designed for different modalities of delivery for each of the major ocean issues that can be used widely to engage, educate and empower the public in moving from ocean issues to solutions. We invite participation by the MTS and its members.