Letters to the Sea

In the face of escalating pressures on coastal and marine environments, inclusive science-policy-society interfaces are crucial for informing ocean governance and preventing unregulated activities by industries, governments, and other ocean users. Attaining such alignment of ocean knowledge with policy requires a transformational shift in present ocean governance and management, one that brings together diverse perspectives from communities, scientists, policymakers and future generations to safeguard ocean health. 

Letters to the Sea, an initiative by Somos OceanoS (SOS), a UN Ocean Decade Action and an endorsed project by the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters, aims to amplify  the voices of youth and coastal communities by raising awareness of their lived experiences, challenges, and aspirations for a healthy ocean. Through heartfelt letters, these communities share stories of connection, concern, and hope, bringing unique perspectives to the forefront of the global conversation on ocean health.

With over 2.15 billion people living near coastlines, including 898 million in low-lying areas, the ocean is central to life, culture, and spirituality for countless communities. Yet, these local communities who are facing the daily impacts of poor marine governance and unrepresentative policies are largely absent from international conferences on ocean governance, rendering their voices unheard. Even more so, the youth (3-22 years) voice is largely absent in policy discussions, yet they constitute nearly a third of the world’s population. SOS’ Letters to the Sea addresses this gap by providing a platform for youth in coastal communities to share their perspectives, challenges, and aspirations on a global stage.

The uniqueness of Letters to the Sea lies in its ability to bridge the voices of young people directly with influential leaders at global conferences and meetings. Created with an interactive framework, leaders can "adopt" a letter by scanning its associated QR code, allowing them to respond to the child's message directly. As a result, world leaders, scientists, activists, and policymakers have the chance to connect with the heartfelt messages, considering them as they shape policies and agendas, which can be shared with the child, creating a meaningful exchange where the child can see the impact of their words. This distinctive approach not only fosters personal connections but also inspires leaders to incorporate these perspectives into the development of more equitable and just development and monitoring mechanisms.

SOS will present its initiative, Letters to the Sea, which amplifies the voices of local actors in policy dialogues and embeds ocean literacy at every level of society through dynamic awareness campaigns and education. By creating an interactive platform for youth engagement, SOS establishes a foundation for inclusive, informed ocean governance that bridges science, policy, and society. Through Letters to the Sea, SOS is catalyzing a new cultural norm where youth voices actively inform policy, and decision-makers and young leaders collaborate to protect ocean health for future generations. This transformative approach fosters a powerful alliance dedicated to sustaining our oceans through shared responsibility and mutual commitment.