Ocean Literacy: Background, Future Drivers, and Opportunities

Abstract

In this introductory chapter a brief overall introduction is given in which current trends in ocean sciences, relevant for the development of ocean literacy, are sketched. In The ocean as the planet’s life support system, the history of oceanography is briefly discussed, and a number of characteristics of the ocean are mentioned. In four The need to… sections trends in ocean sciences understanding, observing, protecting, and involving citizens and pupils from primary and secondary schools, are discussed.