Empowering Southern Coastal Communities through Ocean Literacy for Climate Resilience
Background
Bangladesh is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, with its southern coastal region facing increasing threats from sea-level rise, coastal erosion, cyclones, salinity intrusion, and other climate-related hazards. These environmental changes directly affect the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly those dependent on agriculture and fisheries. The research project, “Empowering Southern Coastal Communities through Ocean Literacy for Climate Resilience,” was undertaken by Nirmol Bangladesh under the project Ocean Literacy for Climate Resilience in the Coastal Region of Bangladesh, partially funded by the Korea SHE Foundation. The study recognizes that improving people’s understanding of the ocean is an essential step toward strengthening climate resilience and promoting sustainable development.
Ocean literacy is considered a key contributor to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14), sustainable economic growth (SDGs 8 and 12), gender equality (SDG 5), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and resilient communities (SDGs 11 and 2). The project aimed to empower vulnerable coastal populations with scientific knowledge, encourage sustainable resource use, and promote adaptive capacity in response to climate change.
Objectives
The research established four major objectives:
- Increase the overall ocean literacy rate in southern coastal communities from below 30%.
- Improve ocean literacy among vulnerable farmer and fisherman communities, whose literacy level was approximately 12%.
- Reduce gender disparities by increasing ocean-related knowledge among women.
- Promote sustainable blue economy practices that create environmentally responsible livelihood opportunities while strengthening community resilience.
Methodology
The research adopted a mixed-methods participatory approach to understand both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of ocean literacy within coastal communities.
The methodology included:
- Structured participatory surveys
- Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)
- Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
The target population consisted of individuals from different demographic backgrounds, including variations in gender, education, and occupation. Survey instruments were developed collaboratively with local communities to ensure cultural relevance. Trained community members collected data through face-to-face interviews using both paper questionnaires and the Kobo Toolbox mobile application. Quantitative data were analyzed using OriginPro 21b and PAST 14.0 statistical software. Data collection was conducted between July 2021 and October 2023.
Major Findings
Baseline Ocean Literacy
The baseline assessment revealed that the average ocean literacy rate across all demographic groups was only about 30%, indicating a significant knowledge gap regarding marine ecosystems, climate change, and sustainable ocean management.
The situation was even more concerning among farmer and fisherman communities, where ocean literacy was approximately 12%, despite these groups being highly dependent on marine and coastal resources.
Gender Differences
The study identified notable gender disparities.
Before the awareness campaign:
- Male literacy ranged from 35% to 60%, with an average of 46.57%.
- Female literacy ranged from 12% to 46%, with an average of 29.48%.
Following the campaign:
- Male literacy increased to an average of 79.08%.
- Female literacy increased to an average of 85.95%.
- The combined average literacy reached 82.51%, demonstrating that targeted educational interventions substantially improved ocean literacy while also reducing gender inequality.
Educational Outcomes
Among secondary school students (Classes 6–10), the campaign significantly increased correct responses to ocean-related questions while reducing incorrect and incomplete answers in both urban and rural schools. The study also explored students’ primary sources of environmental learning, including television, the internet, academic books, teachers, family members, newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and artwork.
Influence of Education
Ocean literacy generally increased with higher educational attainment. Comparisons between professionals and current students also showed that individuals with higher levels of education demonstrated stronger ocean literacy, highlighting education as a critical factor influencing environmental awareness.
Key Conclusions and Recommendations
The research identified several important challenges affecting ocean literacy in Bangladesh.
First, the existing secondary school curriculum does not adequately address contemporary ocean and climate issues needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Second, considerable differences remain between urban and rural populations regarding ocean knowledge. Third, socio-economic conditions and workplace environments often limit opportunities to apply environmental knowledge in practice. Finally, there is a shortage of institutional capacity dedicated to ocean education and awareness programs.
To address these issues, the study recommends prioritizing:
- Youth engagement and empowerment
- Community-based awareness initiatives
- Strong collaboration among government, educational institutions, research organizations, and civil society
- Gender-inclusive educational programs
- Public-private partnerships
- Modern, application-based ocean education within school curricula
The project also proposes future initiatives such as the Young Climate Leaders Program, One Day for Nation Program, and Women Empowerment Training Program to sustain long-term improvements in ocean literacy. Collaboration with universities, the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI), the Bangladesh Navy, and other organizations is identified as essential for expanding these efforts nationwide.
Overall, the research demonstrates that strategic awareness campaigns can dramatically improve ocean literacy—from a baseline of less than 30% to more than 80% after intervention—while narrowing gender disparities and strengthening climate resilience among vulnerable coastal populations. The findings emphasize that ocean literacy is not merely an educational objective but a practical tool for sustainable coastal development, informed decision-making, and climate adaptation in Bangladesh.