This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
When it comes to protecting the ocean, you don’t need to be a professional scientist to have an impact. Around the world, experts are tackling ten major ocean challenges, as defined by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’) — but they can’t do it alone. The ocean needs you and here’s how you can truly make a difference. Welcome to GenOcean, a new campaign from the Ocean Decade that puts ocean action in your hands.
Bringing the Science to the People
The answer? Citizen science — when everyday people collaborate with scientists to collect, analyze and interpret data, helping to answer important research questions. Whether you’re tracking whale migrations, monitoring water quality or identifying marine life, your observations contribute to real scientific discoveries. It’s a way to democratize research, where regular folks become key players in expanding knowledge — blending passion with purpose to drive real-world change.
Who can get involved? Anyone who cares about their ocean environments, whether you live in a coastal community or a landlocked region. While some of these projects are best suited for surfers, sailors or scuba divers, others are accessible to people anywhere in the world who have a laptop or a phone and internet connection. The ocean connects us all, and you don’t need to live next to it to contribute to the important work being done to protect it.
Citizen science, sometimes referred to as community or participatory science, comes in all shapes and sizes. You can decide what project is best suited for you through our growing library of endorsed Decade Actions, specifically those highlighted on the GenOcean webpage.
Amplifying Youth Voices
Want to dive deeper? If you are looking to get into a marine science career or find programs that empower young ocean leaders, look no further. GenOcean also features specific opportunities for young and emerging ocean advocates to become leaders in their communities through their local non-profit organizations and educational institutions. We spotlight young ambassadors of organizations around the world to showcase the many paths into ocean conservation and leadership and to amplify the voices of the next generation who will inherit the Earth’s largest ecosystem.
Are you a young person working in ocean conservation or an organization offering youth and citizen science opportunities in your community? We want to hear from you! Get in touch to find out how you can be featured in the GenOcean campaign to spread your message and calls to action across the globe. We are on the lookout for inspiring stories from people and organizations offering real and tangible solutions to ocean challenges that anyone, anywhere can join.
Tell us more about your Decade Action and how its mission aligns with GenOcean for an opportunity to be featured in the campaign. If you are not associated with a Decade Action but want to learn more about how to get involved in the GenOcean campaign, reach out to us at oceandecade.comms@unesco.org.
Learn more about GenOcean on our webpage.
GenOcean is made possible with generous support from the Government of Japan.
