Oceans and you: Public perception of the Ocean, Climate Change and Ocean Acidification. A global initiative to link Science with Society

LOMOVASKY B; BELIVERMIS M; BOUNAKHLA M; CASTILLO-BRICENO P; DÍAZ-CASTAÑEDA V; DUPONT S; HASSOUN AER; HELGUERA PEDRAZA Y; LACOUE-LABARTHE T; LAMEGO F; METIAN M; MIRANDA VERA C; NAVARRETE-MIER F; OKUKU E; O'SHEA OR; OZHAN K; SANCHEZ NOGUERA C; SHALTOUT N; SMITH G; THORNDYKE M; TUMNOI Y; YUSSEPPONE MS

Simposio; 5TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE OCEAN IN A HIGH CO2 WORLD; 2022

Marine ecosystems are affected by a number of environmental threats including climate change and ocean acidification. These cumulative pressures affect the ocean’s health. These threats require public awareness to bring ocean sustainability to the forefront of the public debate and policy priorities. In the context of marine and coastal environments, public perceptions’ research provides a set of tools and lenses through which the relationship between society and the ocean can be explored. This can also allow to communicate efficiently about the ocean, its values and the threats it is facing, in ways that enhance and increase awareness, concern, connection and positive behaviours. This requires an understanding of how various individuals and communities perceive the ocean. In this context, a global initiative involving 16 countries around the world was carried out in order to evaluate General Public perception of the Oceans, Climate Change and Ocean Acidification under an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Coordinated Research Project (K41018). A Survey with 21 questions was implemented in seven languages – Spanish, English, Arabic, Portuguese, Turkish, Thai, and French – across different countries (Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Kenya). It was distributed using different social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), as well as traditional media (radio, TV, etc.). We will present the strategies used to implement the survey, its structure and main considerations. The results will be discussed in the context of marine resources’ protection. We willdiscuss strategies taking into account differences between communities and countries to drive a sustainable use of the Ocean.