A free online course aimed at increasing awareness of, and stimulating creative solutions to marine litter has opened for registration. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will begin on 26 October, 2015.

This course will provide students with an overview of current knowledge on marine litter and its sources, modeling and monitoring methods for its prevention and reduction as well as a detailed insight into its impacts on ecosystems, human health and our economy. These will be complemented by discussions on leadership and strategies that can be used to prevent and reduce marine litter.

Case studies from Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Hawaii, South Korea and Australia will be another highlight of the course. Covering subjects as diverse as plastic sandals, discarded fishing nets, international cooperation, advocacy and community grassroots networking, these practical lessons will serve to educate, promote interactions and inspire leadership at all levels.

Students can initially enroll in a two-week leadership track and continue with a six-week expert track. The leadership track introduces marine litter concepts and various strategies for preventing and reducing marine litter. The expert track focuses on the acquisition of more in-depth knowledge, insights and skills relating to the prevention of land-based and sea-based sources of marine litter. Moreover, the MOOC strives to stimulate interaction between different stakeholders who combat marine litter.

Launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), through the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) and the secretariat of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), the course was developed in collaboration with The Open University of the Netherlands.

In past years, the issue of marine litter has attracted increasing attention of people around the world. UNEP's Goodwill Ambassador Jack Johnson - popular musician and environmentalist - has been dedicated to promoting positive actions to reduce marine litter, in support of UNEP's work. He has long been concerned about the issue of marine pollution and founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and the Johnson Ohama Charitable Foundation with his wife Kim, in order to promote environmental education.

UNEP is calling for applicants from around the world to help eradicate marine litter by signing up or by sharing information on the course. Over 560 universities, as members of the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES) network, are encouraging interested faculty members and students to enroll in this MOOC, and explore opportunities for blended and innovative learning models in promoting Education for Sustainable Development.

Further Information

To enroll in the course, please visit https://www.marinelittermooc.org/ or write to: [email protected]

Details on the course, can be found here.