12/12/2024
Guest Post for Shark Stewards By: Vivian Guido
Ocean sustainability is the cornerstone of global environmental health and the foundation of countless ecosystems, economies, and cultures. In recent years, global efforts have ramped up to address threats to the ocean, including climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. Diverse perspectives, from international frameworks to Indigenous wisdom- offer pathways to a more sustainable future. This article explores how these perspectives intersect and complement each other, emphasizing the vital roles of youth, education, and cultural values, especially Indigenous knowledge and place-based learning.
The Global Framework for Ocean Sustainability
Central to ocean sustainability is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 14: Life Below Water, which seeks to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.” This goal addresses challenges such as marine pollution, overfishing, and the protection of marine ecosystems. SDG 14 is interwoven with other goals, like climate action (SDG 13) and sustainable communities (SDG 11), highlighting how ocean health sustains broader sustainability efforts.
The 30×30 Ocean Targets initiative, aiming to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, is a powerful example of collective action. Yet, its success hinges on equity- ensuring local and Indigenous communities are not only included but leading in designing and managing marine protected areas (MPAs). This approach fosters sustainability while respecting cultural sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge.
Empowering Youth Through Education
Youth engagement is crucial for the long-term success of ocean sustainability. Today’s young people will inherit the outcomes of current policies and environmental efforts, making their involvement in shaping sustainable practices essential.
One of the most effective ways to connect youth to ocean sustainability is through place-based learning, a method that grounds education in local environments and communities. Indigenous practices, such as traditional Polynesian navigation or Native Hawaiian ahupuaʻa systems (land divisions extending from mountains to sea), embody this approach. These systems teach balance, respect, and sustainable resource use- principles critical for modern sustainability efforts.When youth learn through hands-on experiences in their local environments, they develop a deeper understanding of ecosystems and their roles within them. For example, coral reef restoration projects, beach cleanups, or participating in traditional fishing practices can cultivate stewardship and a sense of responsibility. These experiences also provide opportunities for intergenerational learning, where elders share knowledge with younger generations, reinforcing cultural continuity while fostering sustainability.
Indigenous Knowledge in Global Youth Education
Integrating Indigenous knowledge into global educational frameworks has profound benefits for youth and sustainability. Indigenous peoples view the ocean not as a resource to exploit but as a living system with which humans are intrinsically connected. Teaching this worldview alongside modern science can help youth see the ocean as more than a collection of ecosystems- it becomes a source of life, identity, and spiritual connection.
By combining Indigenous ecological knowledge with scientific methods, youth gain a holistic understanding of the ocean. This dual perspective equips them to tackle sustainability challenges in innovative and culturally sensitive ways. For example, Polynesian navigation traditions, rooted in a deep understanding of ocean currents, wind, and celestial patterns, can inspire new approaches to sustainable travel and resource use.
For Indigenous communities worldwide, the ocean is not merely a resource; it is a source of life, identity, and spirituality. Their deep-rooted knowledge systems offer valuable insights for sustainable practices, which can benefit global youth education.
Native Hawaiian and Polynesian Perspectives
For Native Hawaiians and Polynesians, the ocean- kai, is central to life. Traditional practices, such as kapu (seasonal restrictions on fishing) and fishpond cultivation among many others, reflect a long-standing commitment to resource management that ensures abundance for future generations. These practices align seamlessly with global sustainability goals, providing models of balance and resilience.
Polynesian navigation, known as wayfinding, exemplifies how cultural knowledge fosters environmental literacy. By reading the stars, waves, and winds, navigators charted courses across vast ocean expanses without modern tools, demonstrating a profound connection to and understanding of natural systems. Teaching those skills to youth, both within and outside Polynesian communities, can inspire understanding and respect for the ocean while fostering practical sustainability skills.
Global Integration and Impact
Indigenous perspectives are increasingly recognized as critical to achieving global sustainability goals. Frameworks like the 30×30 initiative and the UN Decade of Ocean Science emphasize the inclusion of Indigenous leadership. This recognition opens the door for more equitable conservation efforts that honor traditional knowledge systems.
When youth worldwide learn from Indigenous models, they gain insights into practices that prioritize harmony with nature over exploitation. Incorporating Indigenous stories, practices, and philosophies into education nurtures empathy, cultural respect, and a sense of global interconnectedness- all essential for collective action on sustainability.
Youth-Led Advocacy and Indigenous Collaboration
Youth are not only learners but also advocates for change. Collaboration between youth movements and Indigenous communities creates powerful synergies. Indigenous knowledge offers practical solutions rooted in millennia of observation, while youth bring energy, creativity, innovation and access to global platforms like social media.
One example is the growing partnership between Indigenous youth and broader youth networks in climate advocacy. These collaborations amplify calls for policies that respect Indigenous land rights, protect marine biodiversity, and promote sustainable practices. By working together, these groups can drive policy changes that reflect both scientific and cultural priorities.
Cultural Significance and Storytelling in Sustainability
Storytelling is a universal tool for teaching and inspiring action. For many Indigenous cultures, stories of the ocean are not just lessons, they are lifeways that connect communities to their past, guide their present, and shape their future. In Polynesian culture, for example, oral traditions about the sea serve as both education and inspiration. These stories convey respect for the ocean’s power, wisdom in its resource use, and the need for stewardship. Incorporating storytelling into youth education can make sustainability personal and memorable, helping young people understand the importance of protecting the ocean.
Beyond Indigenous contexts, storytelling can bridge cultures, helping youth from different backgrounds find common ground. Films, books, and digital media that share Indigenous perspectives on ocean sustainability can reach global audiences, spreading messages of interconnectedness and responsibility.
A Unified Path Forward
The intersection of Indigenous wisdom, place-based learning, and youth empowerment provides a powerful model for ocean sustainability. By learning from and with Indigenous communities, youth can develop a deeper connection to the ocean and a stronger commitment to its protection. Place-based education and experiential learning further reinforce these values, making sustainability an intrinsic part of their identity.
Global efforts like the SDGs and 30×30 initiative must embrace these diverse perspectives to achieve their goals. Indigenous knowledge and cultural values offer not only practical solutions but also a framework for reimagining our relationship with the ocean. By integrating these approaches into education and advocacy, we can cultivate a generation of ocean stewards who are equipped to navigate the challenges ahead. Together, through shared intergenerational knowledge and collective action, we can ensure the ocean remains a source of life and inspiration for generations to come.