Elevocean: Becoming an Ocean Savior Through Literacy
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id— To commemorate World Oceans Day, which falls on Tuesday (8/6/2021), Elevocean hosted a webinar titled "The Role of the Young Generation in Advancing Ocean Literacy in the Digital Age". Dr.rer.nat. Rima Rachmayani, S.Si., M.Sc., expert editor of a book titled Lautku Makin Tinggi/My Sea is Getting Higher" and lecturer of Oceanography at ITB, presents this content.
The event began with a remark that this presentation contains two critical components: the young generation and ocean literacy. Ocean literacy is defined as an activity that helps people understand how the ocean affects them and how they affect the ocean. As a result, the importance of a reciprocal link between humans and the ocean is emphasized. From 1998 to 2017, this ocean literacy movement was led by UNESCO, before eventually becoming a worldwide recognized movement.
The ocean literacy campaign involved more than 20 countries, Indonesia was one of them, she said. Teachers, policymakers, scientists, and young generations must be involved in this campaign for it to work smoothly. These four groups are encouraged to collaborate on a continuous basis in order to fulfill the campaign's goals.
The Elevocean event, an online campaign named '7 Days Closer to the Sea,' is one of the embodiments of ocean literacy in Indonesia. Through this movement, more than 500 ocean rangers have been hired to carry out activities. In fact, the ASEAN Youth Organization is said to have supported the Elevoccean event. “According to literature, the recommended methodology is the existence of a learning object. Teaching students or children about abrasion and erosion, for example. There are objects to learn so that children can absorb immediately what is being taught,” she explained.
Furthermore, the Edu-Click project's creator also mentioned that LIPI supported ocean literacy efforts by offering maritime expertise. The public's ignorance of the importance of the ocean in human life creates a challenge in achieving ocean literacy, and as a result, the issue of ocean level rise is often ignored. The small number of marine scientists working in maritime education is the next challenge.
Rima concluded by stating that there are a number of things that may be done to support ocean literacy efforts. "We can help by joining organizations that promote ocean literacy, such as NMEA and Elevoccean; presenting sea and ocean literacy in formal and informal talks; and attending conferences and workshops that promote ocean literacy," she stated.
Reporter: Athira Syifa P. S. (Postharvest Technology, 2019)
Translator: Sekar Dianwidi Bisowarno (Bioengineering, 2019)
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