Ocean and Coastal Literacy Understanding

Ocean and Coastal Literacy

Understanding Ocean and Coastal Literacy

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Office of Education and Sustainable Development (OESD) have benefited from this research;

Those agencies are in the process of identifying both the threats to our ocean resources and habitat, and to determine how much citizens are aware of these threats.

The report used for this outline was prepared by the Commission on Ocean Policy (COP), in order to aid NOAA and OESD in their policy planning.

The coastal areas of the U.S. are growing rapidly; this report indicates that 19 million homes and some 37 million people have been added to coastal areas in the last 30 years.

There is an "Ecosystems Mission Goal" presented by the COP and that is that healthy and productive coastal area, with thriving marine ecosystems, benefits society; plus, a well-informed public can help keep the ecosystems and coastal environments safe from pollution and other disturbances.

The problem is, mainly, that the public is uninformed about many ocean issues.

The BODY a) 84% of Americans say they believe "strongly" that oceans need to be protected one: about 82% of Americans believe "future generations" will depend on oceans one: another survey shows 65% of Californians believe a "balanced use" of oceans is a good policy (balanced meaning some exploitation by oil companies / industry);

two: the main benefit that 41% of Americans see in ocean protection is that it helps maintain habitat for sea life.

A three: a 1999 Ocean Project study indicates that 80% of the public sees oceans as "Powerful"; 71% see oceans as "Vast"; 64% see oceans as "Relaxing"; and 59% see oceans as "Fun." four: since oceans produce 70% of our oxygen, surveyed individuals believe that protecting the ocean is in fact also protecting humans and human families; the circle of life is accepted as a natural fact by people, and hence, when one part of life is hurt or damaged in any way, it affects the whole chain of life five: too much coastal development, pollution from industry and harmful fishing practices are all damaging not only to the ocean, but to our way of life, those surveyed believed.

A b) How does the public perceive the environmental condition of the oceans?

A one: 80% in a poll say they disagree that the oceans are "so large" humans can't hurt them by pollution; 72% say ocean's can't "simply clean themselves"; 58% believe that polluting the ocean in one area actually affects the entire ocean, but 34% think polluting in one place is only affecting that specific area of pollution.

A two: about 44% of Americans think the condition of the ocean is "only fair" while 27% believe the oceans are in "good-to-excellent" condition; and although 32% of people in a NY Times poll said "pollution" is their "top" environmental concern, only 1% said "oceans" are their top environmental concern.

A three: 63% of Americans in a recent study believe that "regulations and laws" that are intended to protect our oceans are not strict enough, while 16% say laws are ok;

c) the knowledge most people have about the science related to the ocean and coast is not high.

A one: citizens are unaware of threats to the oceans, though the threats are immediate two: 50% of people recognize that factories are a pollution source, but only 24% recognize that "runoff" is what causes the pollution from factories and oil refineries three: 75% of people in one survey believed trees and forests give off more oxygen than oceans; and 60% of respondents didn't know that there are more plant and animal species on oceans than on land.

A four: about 45% of those polled between that between 11 and 20% of U.S. coastal regions are now in federally protected zones; the truth is, only 1% of coastland is protected at this time.

A five: only 22% of people were interested in more information about coral reefs.

Planning for how to keep the public educated is important to NOAA & OESD one: when asked what impact they thought that education on environmental issues

Would have on young people, 57% said "great deal"; 50% said it would "teach respect"; 50% said it would help teach community service to young people two: even though up to 70% of adults have "heard of" beach closings due to pollution and about the deaths of dolphins and whales, they don't get involved; so people who are "well versed" on "specific personal steps they can take" are up to 50% more likely to get involved.

A three: NOAA and OESD should strive to create "environmental literacy" among K-12 students and adults; but since environmental knowledge is best learned with a "hands-on" approach, educating through instruction is only the beginning, and there is a long way to go before enough Americans are truly knowledgeable, and willing to help out, when it comes to our oceans and coastline.