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...

One in ten people in the community are considered "effective" leaders, and they must be located and brought into the consciousness of teaching conservation of our oceans and wetlands too.
Since students begin to form their ideas about their futures and their careers "much earlier than most researchers ever realized," it is wise to begin to educate them at a young age, so they not only are educated about oceans and conservation, but that they may actually willing to participate perhaps even in a professional context in this great quest and challenge of preserving our oceans and coastal regions.

Works Cited

Coyle, Kevin J. "Understanding Ocean and Coastal Literacy: How Public Opinion and Knowledge Research Helps Inform Ocean and Coastal…