The Agenda 2030 and the Imperative for Research and Education for the Climate and the Oceans

Abstract

This chapter sets the scene and provides background information regarding the primary objective of the book: to contribute to the knowledge base for climate education and research, with a specific focus on the oceans and water. Within this framework, the chapter situates educational and research strategies that specifically focus on ocean literacy, developed and coordinated by the authors over the past years. Drawing upon the intersection of ecological literacy and inclusive learning, firmly grounded in sustainability and ocean literacy, the chapter describes the steps in developing an education and research platform that responds to the primary purpose of advancing knowledge and effectively contributing to climate knowledge-in-action. These steps encompass the ideation, development, and implementation of The Ocean Senses Activity Book (and connected outputs) as a pilot project for Ocean Literacy (OL) and its translation, validation, and application in various cultural contexts. The Ocean Senses Activity Book marks an important contribution in promoting OL in research and education settings. Some further reflections on the importance of OL stem from the experience of a student-led course on Agenda 2030, with a particular emphasis on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on Life Below Water. Additionally, the chapter highlights how the preliminary conclusions of the Ocean Interconnectedness workshop sparked new ideas on how to develop cross-disciplinary research and educational tools on OL. To wrap up this introductory chapter, a general overview of the book’s structure and conceptual framework is provided.