Glocalizing students’ reflection on the marine environment through writing

Abstract

The marine environment is considered to be one of humanity’s most precious resources; however, it is increasingly under threat from overfishing, pollution, global warming and a host of other problems. The severity of these issues becomes even more pronounced for the inhabitants of small island states. While they have a high dependence on the sea, this is at times taken for granted. This chapter focuses on the experiences of a group of students attending a reflective writing class in English at a university in Malta. By means of a writing activity focusing on the threats confronting the marine environment, the students are equipped with the ability to develop their thinking on a global issue that has local ramifications. Their use of a glocalized approach helps to foreground their capacity to critically assess their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours with respect to marine conservation.