Association between ocean literacy and climate change mitigation efforts in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

Promoting ocean literacy can lead to numerous benefits, such as improved marine ecosystem comprehension, responsible environmental behavior, and support for marine conservation policies. However, past research focused on the contribution of ocean literacy to the public’s support for marine policy and management, failing to expand the concept to broader issues like climate change. This study aims to assess people’s ocean literacy and its association with climate change mitigation behaviors, using a nationally representative survey that collected 2000 responses in the Republic of Korea in November 2022. The results provide evidence that people with a better understanding of the ocean are more likely to follow recommendations for climate change mitigation, including reducing disposable products, using public transportation, and using eco-friendly products. This association was robust against varying levels of climate change risk perception. These findings imply that promoting public ocean literacy can be an effective strategy for encouraging people to engage in efforts to mitigate climate change in their daily lives.