Blue Humanities

Ed. Ian Buchanan and Celina Jeffery

Symploke. Vol. 27. Nos 1-2. 2019

This issue introduces a growing body of work known as the “blue humanities.” One of the aims of trans-disciplinary work in this area is to raise awareness and increase activism regarding the catastrophic planetary effects of neglecting the challenges our oceans are facing. From plastic pollution and over-fishing to acidification and skepticism regarding climate change, humanities scholars and activists can complement the work of environmentalists and marine scientists in an effort to “save” the ocean. Blue humanities historicizes the ocean and makes it an important part of contemporary consciousness in a way that will hopefully encourage more research on and political support for understanding and reversing the multi-dimensional negative effects of neglecting to care for over two-thirds of our planet.