Tracing the depths: A narrative review on Blue Humanities and Oceanic Studies

This review paper explores the emerging field of Blue Humanities, which examines the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of oceans and water bodies in human society. Through a narrative literature review, it synthesizes various sources to analyze the intersection of maritime history, literature, and environmental studies, highlighting both Western and non-Western perspectives. The study emphasizes the crucial role of oceans in shaping human culture, climate regulation, and biodiversity, while identifying gaps such as research focusing on intertwining blue humanities and literature with contemporary environmental challenges, like climate change, osteoporosis of various water bodies, and blue cultural studies. The findings underscore the environmental challenges of marine pollution, climate change, and rising sea levels, advocating for more sustainable policies that recognize the profound relationship between humanity and aquatic ecosystems.