Ocean literacy survey: headline findings
Headline findings from an online survey with the public in Scotland on the topic of ocean literacy - exploring the public's understanding of the marine environment. It is part of a wider project covering England and Wales.
Principles of Ocean Literacy
Although there are questions regarding an agreed definition of Ocean Literacy, seven principles related to people's understanding of the impact on the ocean and the ocean's impact on them have underpinned Ocean Literacy initiatives in recent years. Survey respondents were asked to indicate the extent to which they believed these principles were true (Figure 2).
The vast majority believed that the principles were true to some degree, ranging from 97% who said that "The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems" was true to 88% who said that "The ocean made the Earth habitable" was true. While still a majority, respondents were least likely to believe that "The Earth has one big ocean with many features" was true (73%).
Q3. The following are principles about the marine environment. Please indicate how true you believe each statement to be.
Unweighted base: 3,055
Principle | Completely True | Mostly True | Somewhat True | Slightly True | Not at all True | Don't know | Summary: True (to some level) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems | 79% | 12% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 97% |
The ocean is largely unexplored | 48% | 29% | 14% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 96% |
The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate | 58% | 24% | 11% | 2% | 1% | 4% | 95% |
The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth | 48% | 29% | 14% | 3% | 1% | 5% | 94% |
The ocean and humans are inextricably linked | 51% | 25% | 14% | 4% | 1% | 5% | 94% |
The ocean made the Earth habitable | 49% | 24% | 13% | 3% | 1% | 11% | 88% |
The Earth has one big ocean with many features | 28% | 20% | 17% | 8% | 16% | 11% | 73% |
Dimensions
- Personal or emotional connection
- Attitudes
- Knowledge
- Awareness
Contact
Email: socialresearch@gov.scot
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