May 2020

Authors: Nicky Hawkins and Kate Brennan-Rhodes

This short guide is for anyone who talks about the ocean, climate change, or nature to different audiences including the public, politicians, policymakers and businesses. It provides tried-and-tested ways of talking about the ocean that can help deepen public understanding of ocean health and build support for the systemic solutions that can aid its recovery. The findings are based on mixed-method research with over 8,000 members of the UK public.

The guide suggests three key ways of talking about the ocean:

1. Talk about the health of the ocean
2. Explain how the ocean’s health has been harmed over time, harming our own health
3. Turn to the future and be clear that we can and should make things better