WASHINGTON — Four out of five (83%) adults nationwide say that the health of the ocean and its ability to provide seafood is personally important, according to a new Morning Consult poll for the Walton Family Foundation.
A large majority (82%) of adults agree “we have a responsibility to ensure a steady supply of sustainable seafood for future generations.”
The poll found consumers are worried climate change is having a negative impact on the health of the oceans, fish populations and people’s food security. Consumers also agree that we need to work to protect the oceans.
“Healthy oceans and healthy fish are key to feeding a growing global population,” said Moira Mcdonald, director of the Walton Family Foundation’s Environment Program. “More than a billion people rely on seafood as their primary food source. To protect fish and the oceans, we need to use science that is responsive to climate change.”
“Adaptation and resilience are central to all environmental efforts. Work in the oceans and fisheries is no different,” added Mcdonald. “Climate-resilient fisheries strengthen food security and the environment. We need leaders to consider both things at once.”
The survey by Morning Consult also found:
- Consumers recognize the importance of the ocean to their food supply. Four in five (83%) consumers say healthy oceans that provide seafood are important to them personally. Over half (54%) say they are very important.
- Seven in 10 worry climate change is having a negative impact on ocean health and food security.
- When thinking about the level of urgency that climate change places on the need to protect oceans, consumers agree:
- Climate change makes it more urgent to protect the seafood supply (73%).
- Climate change makes it more urgent to protect oceans (71%).
- ● When thinking about climate change’s impact on oceans, 82% agree we have a responsibility to ensure a steady supply of sustainable seafood for future generations.
About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving K-12 education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
