Storytelling to save the ocean
During the SOS Ocean Voyage, we hosted the session “Storytelling to Save the Ocean,” guiding participants through how personal narratives can shape behaviour, collaboration, and systems change.
The session highlighted how curiosity, creativity, and emotional resonance can move people — and why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for ocean action. Marte Mjånes Torkildsen, Marine Biologist at VilVite / Bergen Science Centre and an active member of the SOS community, shares her experience.
About the session
The session brought together three different perspectives on how stories shape the world we build.
- Andri Snær Magnason opened by helping participants uncover the emotional core of their ocean stories — showing how values, not facts alone, create narratives that move people.
- Mia Haugen (Blended Value Group) followed with strategies for mobilizing larger audiences, helping participants understand how to shape messages that resonate and inspire action.
- Marte Mjånes Torkildsen then invited the group to write their own Ocean Stories. Sitting on deck at sunset, participants shared what they had created — from sea shanties and childhood memories to poetry and odes to the people who inspired their relationship with the ocean.
The session revealed how quickly deep creativity can emerge when people feel safe, inspired, and connected — and how stories can help align us toward the future we want to create.
Marte’s reflection
“It doesn’t necessarily take long to create magic. That is what our workshop on board Statsraad Lehmkuhl showed me on the Sustainable Ocean Solutions Voyage.
I gave a tall order: Write your ocean story. You have 10 minutes.”
After warm-up exercises and inspiration from Andri and Mia, participants were handed the challenge — and to Marte’s surprise, what they produced in just minutes was extraordinary.
“I don’t know if it was the fact that we are an extraordinary group of people or the scenery that gave extra inspiration — but I was beyond impressed by what they delivered.”
Marte reflected on why storytelling matters:
“We tell stories because, where facts inform us, stories move us. Stories also help us see ourselves in the future we want to create. And telling our stories helps strengthen our community and reach beyond.”
She ended with an invitation:
“I encourage all of you to share your stories — with each other and with the world. The ocean needs our voices.”
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