Faith Resources for a New Relationship with the Ocean
To reimagine our relationship with the ocean, we need more than science and policy. We need moral imagination.
Faith communities bring exactly that. With 85% of humanity adhering to religious traditions, these institutions carry unmatched assets for ocean conservation: moral authority, global networks, and deep community connections that technical approaches alone cannot provide.
These action-oriented primers equip faith leaders to close the distance between spiritual values and ocean action, connecting ancient wisdom with concrete conservation strategies for a new relationship with our shared seas.
The Coral Compass: Nature Testimonies from the World's Reefs
The Coral Compass gathers eight reef testimonies, each one written as if the reef itself were speaking: a translation of the science into the reef's own voice, drawn from the work of those who have spent their lives studying it and grounded in peer-reviewed research and law. Across eight of the world's coral bioregions, each reef tells of its waters, the threats it faces, and the protection proven to hold for it, converging on five principles for ocean action.
Produced by Faiths for Oceans, it was co-created with Nature on Board, a collaboration between Diversity on Board and the Earth Law Center, and draws on the Earth Law Center's Rights of Coral Reefs Toolkit.
Re-imagine the Ocean Within Us: 10 Inner Principles for Ocean Protection
Discover ten spiritual principles connecting ocean conservation with faith traditions' core values. These principles transform marine protection into meaningful spiritual practice, offering both contemplative insights and tangible actions for communities to implement immediately. Drawing from diverse religious teachings, each principle provides practical guidance for bringing moral leadership to ocean advocacy while deepening spiritual connection to our shared waters.
Blue Moral Economy: Faith-Based Approaches to Ocean Finance
This primer introduces the "Blue Moral Economy"—a framework that integrate spiritual values with regenerative marine practices. Explore four core themes where faith institutions can transform ocean economics: stewardship and restoration, sufficiency and equity, ethical investment, and inclusive governance. With religious institutions controlling approximately $5 trillion in assets, this brief shows how spiritual communities can reshape ocean finance.
The 30x30 Ocean Target: A Faith Perspective
Discover why protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030 aligns with core spiritual values of stewardship, justice, and intergenerational responsibility. With only 8.3% currently protected and just 2.8% effectively managed, faith communities can play decisive roles advancing this target through practical actions that transform religious facilities, congregation practices, and policy advocacy.
The High Seas Treaty: A Guide for Faith Communities
The High Seas Treaty represents our first opportunity to protect international waters covering 61% of our oceans. Learn why this landmark agreement matters to religious communities and how they can accelerate the urgent "Race to Ratify" before UNOC3. This primer outlines five concrete ways faith voices can ensure this treaty becomes reality, from targeted advocacy to moral framing that inspires swift action.
Understanding the 2025 UN Ocean Conference: An Essential Guide for Faith Communities
A foundational guide explaining UNOC3's structure, the "Nice Ocean Action Plan," and why this conference presented a historic opportunity for faith engagement. Learn how religious institutions shaped marine policies, forged partnerships, and ensured vulnerable communities' voices reached this influential forum.
