Ocean literacy survey: headline findings

Lifestyle impacts & changes

Overall, 50% thought their lifestyle has an impact on the marine environment. A slightly higher proportion thought that their lifestyle has a positive impact (27%) compared to a negative impact (23%) (Figure 18).

Q17: What impact do you think your lifestyle has on the marine environment of Scotland?

Unweighted base: 3,055

Dimensions

• Activism
• Behaviour
• Attitudes
• Knowledge
• Awareness

Twenty-seven percent said they've already made changes but plan on doing more, whilst 44% said it's quite or very likely they will make changes. 8% said they've already made changes but don't plan on doing any more. Only 13% said they won't or don't think they will make changes to their current lifestyle within the next 12 months in order to protect the marine environment in Scotland (Figure 19).

Q22: Within the next 12 months, do you plan on making changes to your lifestyle to protect the marine environment in Scotland?

Unweighted base: 3,055

Dimensions

• Activism
• Behaviour
• Attitudes
• Knowledge
• Awareness

The top reasons for making or planning lifestyle changes (Figure 20) were concern over climate change (67%), desire to be greener (63%), desire to care and protect (59%), concerns about impacts on the marine environment (58%) and worry about future generations (57%).

Q24: [Where likely to make changes to lifestyle to protect the marine environment] Is this because?

Unweighted base: 3,055

Dimensions

• Activism
• Behaviour
• Attitudes
• Knowledge
• Awareness

In contrast, the top reason for not making lifestyle changes (Figure 21) was already doing as much as possible (38%) followed by it being too expensive (29%) and thinking it would not have an impact (27%).

Q23: [Where unlikely to make changes to lifestyle to protect the marine environment] Is this because?

Unweighted base: 3,055

Dimensions

• Activism
• Behaviour
• Attitudes
• Knowledge
• Awareness