Individuals’s deep reference to the ocean — their “marine identification” — can assist us reset society’s relationship with the seas, new analysis led by Dr Pamela Buchan, from the College of Exeter, suggests.
A various, worldwide group of marine researchers and practitioners met to debate marine identification — primarily based on testimony and images from a number of international locations.
The group included Diz Glithero of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, Dr Emma McKinley of Cardiff College who helped ship the workshop, and others from throughout Europe, Africa, Indonesia, North America, and Australasia.
They discovered many frequent themes, together with traditions and customs; and dependency on the ocean for recreation, livelihoods, well being and sustenance.
Additionally they discovered variations, comparable to adverse methods the ocean can kind a part of identification — notably for these whose communities and livelihoods are in danger from excessive climate.
The group agreed upon a broad definition of marine identification: “An identification rooted in how the ocean as a spot helps the sense of self.” That is the primary time that a world, cross-cultural definition of marine identification has been agreed upon.
Dr Pamela Buchan, a marine social science researcher, stated: “Problem 10 of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Improvement (2021-2030) requires the restoration of society’s relationship with the ocean.
“We all know identification drives folks greater than values — and other people react to threats to their sense of self.
“In consequence, marine identification might have a strong affect on defending and restoring the ocean.
“Whereas many individuals really feel deeply related to the ocean, they might not consider this by way of ‘marine identification’.”
By serving to to outline and lift consciousness of the time period, the researchers hope to advertise “marine citizenship” — folks exercising their proper to be concerned in marine decision-making and taking accountability for the ocean.
Dr Buchan added: “We are able to foster this by encouraging easy accessibility to the ocean for everybody, from a younger age.
“Within the UK, for instance, as an island nation, many individuals have a powerful marine identification — however usually the ocean is seen as one thing distant, to go to then retreat from.
“We see conservation and administration of marine sources as a matter for presidency coverage, and we wouldn’t have insurance policies that immediately allow native stewardship.
“We hope our analysis will assist strengthen the idea of marine identification, empower folks to guard the ocean, and encourage decision-makers to actively think about the relationships that folks have with the ocean.”