Study on the Current Situation and Development Countermeasures of Marine Ecological Civilization Literacy Education in China

Abstract

Marine ecological civilization education is the core pathway to advancing sustainable marine development and achieving the goal of "harmony between humans and the sea." As global marine governance issues become increasingly complex—such as climate change and marine pollution—and China's "maritime power" strategy deepens, raising public awareness of marine ecological civilization has become a critical component of the national strategy. Currently, despite the initial formation of China's marine education system, it still encounters numerous challenges in both theory and practice, including regional disparities in educational resources, inadequate interdisciplinary integration, and a lack of international discourse power. This study aims to systematically explore the current status, problems, and optimization paths of marine ecological civilization education in China through literature analysis, empirical research, and policy evaluation, with the hope of contributing Chinese wisdom to global marine education. The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth, covering approximately 71% of the planet's surface. It not only provides abundant natural resources for humanity but also plays a crucial role in regulating climate, maintaining biodiversity, and fostering economic development. However, with the intensification of human activities, marine ecosystems are facing numerous challenges, such as marine pollution, loss of marine biodiversity, and over-exploitation of marine resources. These issues not only threaten the health and sustainable development of marine ecosystems but also severely endanger the survival and development of humanity. Against this backdrop, the construction of marine ecological civilization has become a global focal point. President Xi Jinping stated: "The construction of marine ecological civilization is an important part of ecological civilization construction and a crucial component in building a beautiful China." This significant statement offers theoretical guidance and action plans for China's marine ecological civilization construction. The construction of marine ecological civilization requires not only policy support and institutional guarantees but also broad participation and active engagement from all citizens. Marine ecological literacy education is a vital approach to enhancing public awareness of marine ecological civilization and encouraging widespread involvement in its construction.