# data[].attributes.body
10-15
16-30
31-50
50+

# data[].attributes.headline
Statement: I believe that recycling has a large effect on the health standard of the ocean.

# data[].attributes.subject
Statement: I believe that recycling has a large effect on the health standard of the ocean.

# data[].attributes.body
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Unsure
Agree
Strongly Agree

# data[].attributes.headline
Statement: When visiting the beach, I bring/use the following items:

# data[].attributes.subject
Statement: When visiting the beach, I bring/use the following items:

# data[].attributes.body
Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic Bags (Ziploc or Grocery)
Plastic sunscreen bottles
Straws
Chewing gum
Plasticware
Lighters
Berries in plastic containers
Diapers
I have never visited the beach

# data[].attributes.headline
Question: How many marine animals do you think die a year from plastics in the oceans?

# data[].attributes.subject
Question: How many marine animals do you think die a year from plastics in the oceans?

# data[].attributes.body
100 million
1 million
1 thousand
50 million

# data[].attributes.body
"100% of mussels tested have contained micro plastics."

plasticoceans.org/the-facts/

# data[].attributes.body
"At least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, and make up 80% of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea sediments."

iucn.org/resources/

# data[].attributes.body
"Single-use plastics -- such as face masks, medical equipment, shopping bags, coffee cups and cling film -- are made from polymers, which use fossil fuels as a base material...The first "Plastic Waste Makers Index," published by the Australia-based philanthropic Minderoo Foundation, calculated that 20 companies -- mainly energy and chemicals giants -- are the source of half of the world's single-use plastic waste."

cnn.com/2021/05/18/world/single-use-plastics

# data[].attributes.body
"At current rates plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050."

biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/

# data[].attributes.body
"Many of these products, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years."

nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution

# data[].attributes.body
"Micro plastics are breaking down further into smaller and smaller pieces. Plastic microfibers, meanwhile, have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air."

nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution

# data[].attributes.body
'"Today science tells us that the majority of plastic waste ending up in oceans is coming from land, specifically due to limited or nonexistent waste management,” says Simon. “You can make something 100% recyclable, but if you don’t have a recycling facility, it just ends up as trash.'"

worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/fall-2019/articles/plastic-in-the-ocean

# data[].attributes.body
"In the US, even though we collect almost 100% of the most common type of plastic, polyethylene terephthalate, or PET (your standard soda bottle), only about 30% is recycled."

worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/fall-2019/articles/plastic-in-the-ocean

# data[].attributes.body
"The combination of natural forces and a sea anchor create a drag, which makes the system move consistently slower than the plastic, while allowing the plastic to be captured."

theoceancleanup.com/oceans/

# data[].attributes.body
"A sea turtle found in the Pacific Ocean had this debris in its stomach, according to The Ocean Cleanup, a foundation."

pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2018/09/24/plastic-pollution-affects-sea-life-throughout-the-ocean

# data[].attributes.body
From the 64 responses, we can see that the largest age group that was surveyed was those ranging from ages 10-15. There were 42 individuals that fell into this category. There were then 18 individuals ranging from the ages 16-30. Finally, there were two individuals each in the categories that included the ages 31-50 and 50+. From this, we can conclude that most of the data did come from younger individuals. I think that it is important because ultimately, the younger generation will be the ones to bring change. It is important to understand what the younger generation believes because they will be the ones making decisions and choices to help or hurt the Earth.

# data[].attributes.body
From this survey question, we can see that the majority of the individuals agree or strongly agree with the fact that recycling effects how healthy the ocean is. This acknowledges the fact that individuals can see that there is a true problem with the correlation between recycling and oceans. It is surprising to see that two individuals actually disagree with this statement. I could see how this could maybe be a confusing statement as I did not specify if it recycling positively or negatively affects the health of the ocean.

# data[].attributes.body
All of the items that were choices for this question would be considered bad. If any of these items were left out or did not end up in the trash can, they would most likely become part of the ocean. These were the most common items found when cleaning up oceans and beaches. Most of these items are single use plastics. These should never be used and definitely never be taken to the beach. When going to the beach, it would be better to bring a waste-free lunch, hold on to your litter until you can find a trash can, and finding a safer sunscreen that includes zinc and titanium, as regular sunscreen negatively alters the ecosystem and promotes algae growth. From the data, we can see that the most used items by individuals was plastic sunscreen bottles. The next most used items were plastic water bottles and plastic bags. All of these items are single use plastics. Just from this survey, we can see that consciously picking non-single use plastics, we can help better the ocean problem.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a very interesting question to look at. The correct answer to this question is 100 million. From knowing this, it is easy to see that no one understands the magnitude of the plastic pollution problem. More than 75% of the individuals guessed a number lower then the correct answer. The most chosen answer was one million. Although these individuals can understand the problem, they can not understand how massive this problem has become. This means we need to educate our youth better and promote the idea that a decrease in marine animals is harming more than we think. Through my research I found that a decrease in marine animals would decrease the amount of minerals produced from animal shells which would decrease the amount of carbonate compounds and increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean.

# data[].attributes.headline
Statement: I find a way to throw away any trash I have, whether in the house or outside.

# data[].attributes.subject
Statement: I find a way to throw away any trash I have, whether in the house or outside.

# data[].attributes.body
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Unsure
Agree
Strongly Agree

# data[].attributes.body
This question's data is interesting. It shows that over 75% of the individuals find a way to throw their trash away. We will see on a later question that this may not be the case. This question may seem like "Duh" but it is surprising, when you really analyze people, how many people do not make an effort to throw away trash. When driving down the road, many people throw out fast food bags or water bottles because they can not wait until they get home to throw it away or recycle it. When people throw their trash anywhere but the trash can or recycling bin, it is very likely that the trash ends up in a water supply. This water almost always leads to an ocean, and the oceans continue to collect pollution.

# data[].attributes.headline
Statement: When looking at the big picture, plastic in the ocean and its effect on marine life can impact human health.

# data[].attributes.subject
Statement: When looking at the big picture, plastic in the ocean and its effect on marine life can impact human health.

# data[].attributes.body
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Unsure
Agree
Strongly Agree

# data[].attributes.body
In this question, individuals were asked their opinion on whether or not they believe plastic in the ocean and in marine animals. From this we can see that all of the individuals can agree that the plastic pollution can impact human health. I found this fact as surprising through my research. Since plastic takes many years to break down, it is making marine and wildlife animals intoxicated. This makes the micro plastics become part of the food chain and threatens human health.

# data[].attributes.headline
Question: How concerned are you about the problem with plastic in the ocean?

# data[].attributes.subject
Question: How concerned are you about the problem with plastic in the ocean?

# data[].attributes.body
1 = very concerned
2
3
4
5 = least concerned

# data[].attributes.body
From this, we can see that individuals are about 60% concerned with the idea of plastic pollution in the ocean. It is disappointing to see that there is not more individuals that find concern with this problem. Around 35% of individuals did not have a convincing concern about this problem. This is disappointing to see because previously we saw that these individuals did recognize the problem. From this question, it makes it seem like we just do not care about the problem. Many would argue that plastic pollution in the ocean does not affect them, but we went over previously that this actually affects human health.

# data[].attributes.headline
Question: Which option do you think would be the most effective to reduce plastic in oceans?

# data[].attributes.subject
Question: Which option do you think would be the most effective to reduce plastic in oceans?

# data[].attributes.body
Refusing single use plastics
Participating in beach pickups
Supporting plastic bans
Spreading the word to reduce plastic use
Advising supermarkets to ditch excess plastic use

# data[].attributes.headline
Question: How often do you see plastic and trash on the sides of the road or laying out, not in a trash can?

# data[].attributes.subject
Question: How often do you see plastic and trash on the sides of the road or laying out, not in a trash can?

# data[].attributes.body
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never

# data[].attributes.headline
Statement: Select which types of events you believe to be the main source of ocean pollution.

# data[].attributes.subject
Statement: Select which types of events you believe to be the main source of ocean pollution.

# data[].attributes.body
Storm Runoff
Sewage Overflow
Beach Visitors
Inadequate Waste Disposal
Construction
Illegal Dumping

# data[].attributes.body
I thought that this would be an important question to ask. This data shows us what each individuals personal preference would be regarding efforts to reduce plastic pollution. This allows us to see what people would be willing to do. From this, we can see that people would be willing to spread the facts about plastic pollution and participate in beach pickups. These are both two easy ways that people can help this problem. Even the smallest effort in the right direction is great. People are least likely to support this in refusing single use plastics. This is the most alarming statistic. Refusing single use plastics should be the number one way to reduce pollution by these individuals. By refusing these single use plastics, we are reducing the amount of plastic that will be entered into the system.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the question that I was referring to earlier. In a previous question, individuals said that they are always making an effort to get their litter to a trash can or recycling bin. From this, we can see that 60 people of the 64 noted that they see trash not in a trash can very often. This contradicts what they had said earlier. I agree with the majority of those surveyed. I often see trash out and about in the environment. This is very disheartening. All of this trash is very likely to end up in the ocean. I found evidence regarding the process that usually happens regarding trash getting into the ocean as, "Garbage in the ocean comes from trash from trash cans, the streets, and landfills that gets blown into sewers, rivers, or directly into the ocean. People litter, or wind blows trash out of dumpsters and garbage bins. ... Trash travels through sewer pipes, into waterways, and finally into the ocean."

# data[].attributes.body
This question was used to see how much the individuals that took the survey knew about how trash gets into the ocean. All of the answer choices were a valid way that trash finds its way to the ocean. I am surprised that so many people chose illegal dumping. To be honest, I was not sure what this was at first. Illegal dumping is just dumping waste in an unauthorized location. I could definitely see how this could lead to trash in the ocean. I also agree with beach visitors as I believe they are a direct cause of pollution since they are right beside the ocean when they leave litter behind. All of the options make total sense as litter can travel through all of these different ways.