Blue economy expansion risks marginalizing coastal communities without inclusive governance
Original framing: “As blue economy gathers pace, communities must benefit from ocean boom, activists say” — Climate Home News
Many non-Western cultures view the ocean as a communal, spiritual entity rather than a marketable asset. These perspectives challenge the commodification of marine resources and offer alternative models of stewardship.
The blue economy, while framed as a climate solution, risks replicating colonial patterns of resource extraction unless it is restructured to center the voices and knowledge of Indigenous and coastal communities.
Historical parallels show that exclusionary models lead to ecological degradation and social inequality, while inclusive models foster resilience and sustainability. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge, redirecting ocean finance, and establishing participatory governance, the blue economy can become a tool for justice as well as environmental protection. This requires challenging the power structures that currently dominate ocean governance and embracing alternative models rooted in equity and ecological wisdom.