The Eurobarometer survey on climate change conducted in spring 2022 found that a majority of Europeans (82%) are aware that climate change is also having an impact on the world’s oceans, and 86% of Europeans also agree that climate change is negatively affecting marine life.

While most citizens recognise that climate change will affect the oceans, there are misconceptions on certain climate effects: 6 out of 10 Europeans, for example, think that the average level of the sea will increase less than 50 cm by the end of the century.

Furthermore, although 80% of citizens consider the protection and restoration of our oceans and seas as important, only 44% say they feel well informed about the environmental state of the world's oceans and seas.