According to a World Bank report, the blue economy is defined as the mixture of economic sectors and policies that ensure sustainable use of ocean resources to promote continued economic growth. It’s the combination of business, preservation activities and policies that ensure we can all enjoy the ocean for generations to come.
Oceans have long powered global trade, fed billions of people and supported livelihoods in coastal communities and far beyond. In fact, ocean-based industries generate trillions in annual economic value, underscoring just how deeply the ocean is tied to everyday life and the global economy.
Without changing our mindset, the ocean won't be able to support future generations the way it does for us today. Rising ocean temperatures, pollution, overfishing, habitat loss and sea-level rise are putting pressure on marine ecosystems and on the communities that depend on them for food, income and protection.
When the ocean weakens, the impact reaches much farther than the shoreline, affecting jobs, supply chains, food security and coastal resilience across the world.
That’s why the shift to the blue economy matters — it is not only about preserving the ocean, but also about protecting the people, industries and future opportunities that depend on it.
From the ocean economy to the blue economy
Historically, the ocean economy centered on extraction, production and short-term gains. But as critical resources face increasing pressure, governments, industries and communities are turning more seriously toward sustainable practices that can support healthier ecosystems and more stable long-term returns.
To preserve ocean health, protect the economic activity that depends on it and support the communities and cultures shaped by it, the blue economy increasingly calls for new technologies, stronger research and more inclusive decision-making.
What does this mean for individuals pursuing an ocean-related career? It means the field requires skills beyond what’s typically required of a scientist or an industry professional.
Whether you want to work in research, conservation, policy, education, coastal planning, fisheries, ocean technology, sustainability strategy or community engagement, you’ll need to be able to understand ocean systems, communicate across sectors, collaborate with communities and help design solutions that are practical, investable and built to last. That broader skill set is what makes ocean-related careers increasingly valuable across industries and regions.
Preparing for the blue economy
ASU’s School of Ocean Futures is playing a major role in shaping the future of the blue economy, not only through the research it conducts, but also through the curriculum it uses to teach students who will eventually lead the charge in the blue economy.
Broadly, the School of Ocean Futures and its degree programs examine the present and future states of our oceans, tackling the growing impacts of human activity through hands-on research and learning. Students explore topics like the marine sciences, how to build partnerships and work with communities, and more. This curriculum prepares them for careers in the blue economy, which is projected to be valued at an estimated $2.5 trillion annually, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Regardless of the ocean-related career you choose, mastering skills and knowledge in the blue economy equips you to work effectively across sectors and value systems, and empowers you to translate ocean knowledge into meaningful, real-world solutions.
As an online student at ASU’s School of Ocean Futures, you learn how to turn ocean knowledge into investable, implementable, equitable and durable solutions. The curriculum goes beyond research, building skills in partnership development, stakeholder communication and effective solution design.
Success in the blue economy requires the knowledge to align ocean health, community well-being and economic opportunity. ASU’s School of Ocean Futures prepares students for this reality through programs designed to build a deep understanding of ocean systems and the communities that depend on them.
You will develop the skills to form lasting partnerships, communicate across sectors, and create solutions that are investable, implementable, equitable, built to last, and ultimately, shape the oceanʻs future in a meaningful way.
One of the highlights of these online Ocean Futures programs is that students don’t have to travel to Arizona or one of the school’s research labs to gain the expertise needed to work in the blue economy. Three programs are available for online students located anywhere in the world, expanding access to high-impact blue economy careers. These programs include:
- Ocean Futures, BS
- Ocean Futures (Coastal and Marine Science), BS
- Coastal and Marine Science and Management, MS
Curious about these programs? Explore details about each program, the student experience and more.