Task: To design a questionnaire, conduct survey, writing research report, producing a Campaign Plan and designing a campaign poster
Course Code and Name: MSJ 4162 Environmental Communication
Project Name: “People’s Awareness and Knowledge of Ocean Pollution in Chittagong”
Project Date: Summer 2023
Project Type: Group
Project Completed on Semester No: 11
CI Theme of the Term: Group Polarization
Project Description:
The project “People’s Awareness and Knowledge of Ocean Pollution in Chittagong” aimed at increasing the response level of public awareness and a better understanding of ocean pollution among the people of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar. The ways in which ocean pollution is destroying marine life and devastating human health through surveys, a campaign plan, and several media were conveyed by this project. The campaign would further motivate them toward environmentally responsible behavior by reducing waste and preserving the ecosystems of the ocean.
Project Justification:
Starting from the coastal area of Chittagong down to Cox’s Bazaar, where the effect of ocean pollution due to industrial waste of the country, along with plastic debris, is at an all-time high and which has become very threatening to marine life, human health, and economic activities depending on the ocean. The project was important in making the residents more aware of the critical pollution and its effects, which they may not fully understand or be well informed about. Handling such an issue through focused communication was patently an ingredient of high importance in nurturing a better-informed, more actively interested community-one able to take unified action to stem environmental damage.
DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA STUDIES AND JOURNALISM
Course Name: Environmental Communication
Course Code: MSJ4162
Term: Summer 2023
Section: 01
Final Assignment: Survey, Research Report, Campaign Plan, Poster
Total Marks: 40
Submitted To
Dilshad Hossain Dodul
Senior Lecturer
Bachelor of Social Science
Media Studies and Journalism Department
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)
Delivered By
Zakia Sultana Sanam, ID: 201012045
Humaira Binte Kamal, ID: 183012056
Sarah Tasneem, ID: 191012027
SK Jannatun Naim, ID: 201012068Date of Submission: Monday, September 4th, 2023, 12:00 AM
Final Assignment> 40 Deadline> September 4
a. Design of Questionnaire and conduct a survey through social media or email on the topic assigned for your group
b. Write a report based on that data
1. Introduction> A brief Discussion about your topic and how it is impacting humanity and nature.
2. Literature Review> A brief Literature review regarding the topic. (I want you to give reference from five or six article regarding the issue published on other countries, not more than that)
3. Analysis> Write an analysis from the findings from the survey.
c. Prepare a poster with a tagline.
Assessment Rubric>
Data collection> 10
Introduction> 5
Literature review> 5
Analysis> 15
A poster> 5
“PEOPLE’S AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF OCEAN POLLUTION IN CHITTAGONG”
Abstract
This study explores the awareness and attitudes of residents in Chittagong City and Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, regarding ocean pollution. The research aims to understand their level of knowledge, concerns, and willingness to address this critical environmental issue among the target audience. The study also proposes a comprehensive communication strategy to raise awareness and promote eco-friendly practices to mitigate ocean pollution.
Introduction
Covering almost 70% of the earths’ surface, oceans play a pivotal role in the lives of all living things. Oceans absorb immense amounts of carbon dioxide which in return regulates earths’ climate, balances the heat. Any disruption caused in the ocean might result in disruption in the lives of humans as well as marine life.
Marine plants such as phytoplankton generate oxygen which covers almost half of the amount of oxygen produced on our planet. From majestic whales to microscopic organisms, oceans give life to millions of types of sea creatures. Livelihoods of millions of people depend on these oceans; it is a major source of food. We use the oceans to travel and transport goods. It is all interconnected, our livelihoods, economy and climate; so when disruptions happen, it affects all of these aspects. The disruptions created by humans result in ocean pollution.
Background
The term ocean pollution generally means the contamination of marine environment; anything that potentially harms the marine environment and everything it consists of. The pollutants vary from place to place. The most severe problem at the moment is our unhygienic habits of disposing of waste, especially plastic waste. The plastics produced for various purposes ultimately end up in the oceans as wastage because there is massive lack in the waste disposal systems. We are disposing of garbage without having a place to dispose of it. Recycling and reusing is a good defense against this problem but there is not as much recycling happening as the increasing amount of plastic in the world. Industrial waste disposal, oil spillages pollute water and cause severe damages to marine life. The health of sea creatures gets affected by it. Wastewater, sewage, agricultural waste all end up in the oceans resulting in acidification of ocean water, which again affects marine health and environment. Accumulations of millions of pollutants like this are a major contributor to the climate change problem.
With the worlds’ longest sea beach and Bay of Bengal on its’ side, Bangladesh stands on the front line of the global warming crisis. Bangladesh is largely dependent on its coastal resources, especially the side of Chittagong which is one of the major ports of the country. The route through Bay of Bengal is a commercial shipping route which is responsible for a significant amount of trade around the world. Which is why large container carrying ships move through this route and ultimately wastes and spillages occur very frequently here. Chittagong is also home to one of the largest ship breaking yards. Which has some significance for the economy of the country, but it also has a problematic side. Ship wrecking enables oils, chemicals and metals to get released into the oceans. These oils and chemicals contaminate the fish, traces of chemicals and oils can be found on the fishes around the area. This can have a severe effect on human health.
As Cox’s Bazaar is the world’s longest sea beach, it attracts a lot of tourists and travelers each year. It is helping to enhance our economic situation. A lot of livelihoods depend on this industry. The problem with this immense number of tourists is the lack of proper management. Beaches are filled with shops and food stalls which sell products packaged with plastic, that plastic becomes garbage once it’s unpacked. There are not enough dustbins or waste recycling systems to tackle the amount of garbage which gets created every day on the beaches of Cox’s Bazar. Very few initiatives have been taken so far to minimize the wastes on the beach. There is one particular problem for which most initiatives have not done so well in the past.
The problem lies in the behavioral patterns of people in both of the cases stated above. Most of the people who visit the place or are involved with the area are either not keen about the safeguarding of the environment or they do not know exactly how severe this problem is and how it affects us in the long run, how small contributions to pollution lead to dire consequences. Illiteracy has a role in this too but our education system is at fault as well in this case because there is not much emphasis on environment protection in our curriculums other than a few generic things. Our curriculums fail to make us realize how immensely dependent we are on nature and its resources
To tackle this problem, we first need awareness above all things, awareness of people. Because only humans have the ability to repair the damage that has been done. People need to know and realize how they are harming themselves by directly or indirectly harming the environment. Realizations can play a major role in behavioral change. The problem is that most people fail to see the bigger picture and are unable to comprehend the magnitude of this situation. To understand why, we first need to know their perspective. How much do they actually know? How do they perceive pollution? Or how much importance do they give to the safety of their environment? These are some of the questions we looked for answers for. Our goal is that by measuring the literacy level of the population involved in this particular situation, we may be able to create a plan to help the people understand pollution better and their understanding along with proper implementations of plans might contribute to saving our precious ocean.
Literature Review
In-depth secondary research contributed to key findings, when it comes to the current state of our oceans, the scale of the pollution, dangers and a wide array of topics. The literature review here incorporates the study of both local and international journals, news articles, and research papers, based on which the following has been constructed.
As stated by Md. Wahidul Alam & Xu Xiangmin in their piece for the Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences, in 2018, Bangladesh faces a few challenges in accomplishing a blue economy. It points out that ensuring marine environment from coastal, land and marine pollution is of urgent need. The authors shed light on the type of most common pollution in the oceans of Bangladesh as sewage pollution, industrial pollution, coastal development, causing overall contamination.
Land and Sea based pollution seems to be the root causes of the ocean getting polluted. An article published by The Business Standard, states, “land-based sources alone are responsible for 80% of total marine pollution”, (Habiba, 2022).
Bangladesh being a country of 230 rivers carry billions of tons of sediments into the Bay of Bengal. Industrial facilities around the coastal belts discharge a huge amount of industrial waste which are ultimately carried directly to our ocean; this mixes with soil and water and ultimately deteriorates marine environment.
Another great source of the land pollution comes from plastic and more precisely single use plastics. As mentioned in an official article published by UNEP, about 75-199 million tonnes of plastic are currently in our oceans, and if it is not controlled the rate of yearly pollution will triple by 2040.
A paper published by Wahidul Alam titled- “Land-Based Marine Pollution: An Emerging Threat to Bangladesh”, sheds light on the impacts and the possible remedies for the crisis in our oceans. The author showcases the national and international attempts that are being put in place to save our oceans from the grasps of pollution. BOBLME Project, one of the initiatives mentioned in the article, is a coalition of 8 South Asian Countries to protect the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem.
From widespread awareness to strict laws and the implementations of them, a multi sectoral approach is being talked about in most of the researched articles. Lack of public awareness about the immediate and long-term dangers of ocean pollution is one of the biggest dangers of all for a country like Bangladesh, as discussed by Author Qudtrat Rahman in his Publication- Bangladesh 2100 Delta Plan & Blue Economy.
Most research papers, journals and articles direct towards the same solutions and identify the same dangers but the scarcity of relevant researches or pieces, clearly indicate Ocean Pollution to be a fairly new cause of concern at least to the people of Bangladesh. Thus, awareness among the public seems to be the first step as discussed in almost all the researched articles.
Methodology
The research involved surveying 50 participants from Chittagong City. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ awareness of ocean pollution, their level of concern, knowledge about its sources, and their willingness to take action. Data analysis was conducted to identify key findings.
Findings
Number of surveyed participants: 50
Location of the participants: Chittagong City
Initial findings:
• Out of the 50 people surveyed, 86% of them are aware of the term ocean pollution which is a positive indicator of literacy about the problem.
• In response to the question about how concerned they are about ocean pollution 50% of the population answered “very concerned” and only 2% of the population answered “Not very concerned”.
• Another positive indicator is that about 70% of the respondents said that they know about the major source of ocean pollution and 66% of them identified plastics/single use plastics as one of the major sources of pollution and 62% said that they witnessed immense plastic pollution on the sea beaches of Chittagong which tells us that a large amount of the participants is aware of the situation surrounding them and the causes behind it.
• One of the negative findings is that although 88% of the respondents said they know that ocean pollution harms marine life and ecosystems, only 50% of them expressed that they are concerned about this situation.
• Upon being asked if they encountered any campaigns or media coverage about ocean pollution 66% of the respondents replied that they have not and 70% of them are not aware of any policies of the government taken to tackle ocean pollution. This indicates the failure of the government in terms of implementing strict regulations.
More than half of the participants were willing to pay a small fee to enter the beaches to help establish better maintenance and waste management. This response indicates that the people are willing to change but they are unable to because there are not enough initiatives taken and implemented to reduce pollution
• 68% of the respondents believe that individual actions can make a difference in ocean pollution.
• Half of the respondents are already trying to reduce plastic waste and although the other half are not, they were still showing their willingness to do so in the future, none of the respondents showed disinterest in the matter.
• More than 64% of the respondents think that strengthening regulations and enforcement and raising public awareness and education is needed to control and prevent ocean pollution.
• 72% of the respondents are willing to change their consumption habits to reduce their contribution to ocean pollution which is a very good sign
• 40% of the respondents think that efforts taken by the local authorities are not satisfactory
• Almost 70% of the respondents did not witness any successful example of ocean pollution reduction and they do not think enough is being done to educate people about ocean pollution.
Final Analysis
The findings achieved through data collection indicates that the majority of the surveyed respondents have some basic knowledge about ocean pollution and they also possess willingness among themselves to establish change. They lack initiative and encouragement because there is a gap of proper knowledge. Another reason is that the matter of ocean pollution is not addressed as much as it should be, social media or mainstream media does not put as much emphasis as they should in this matter, which is why it is losing its importance. The policies fixed by the government are also not satisfactory, it does not serve the needs of nature in a balanced way. The data also indicates that if properly planned initiatives are taken, chances are that most people will eventually comply because ultimately, they are concerned about their own wellbeing. But they will comply if the plan is made in a way convenient to the people as well as the environment.
What we need to do in this situation is to take initiatives to enhance their knowledge about the magnitude of the problem and that will give them the push they need in order to take initiatives for themselves to reduce ocean pollution. For virtual initiatives, we can use the various sources of media they are mostly dependent on. For the other Initiatives, we may encourage the use of eco-friendly or biodegradable materials rather than plastic because studies have shown that plastic waste is the primary contributor of ocean pollution. Plastic waste reduction can significantly contribute to mitigating ocean pollution.
The people of Chittagong are aware of ocean pollution, and they believe that it can be changed by personal initiative, political action, and increased public knowledge. By doing research and implementing focused solutions, it is possible to lessen pollution and save marine habitats. To close the knowledge-to-action gap, though, extensive awareness raising, better public policies, and approachable activities are required. Chittagong’s ocean pollution will need to be addressed using a multifaceted strategy that includes media engagement, education, regulation, and the promotion of sustainable plastic substitutes.
Discussion
The findings suggest that a significant portion of the surveyed population is aware of ocean pollution and its causes, indicating a positive level of literacy about the issue. However, despite their awareness, many respondents expressed a lack of concern about the impact of ocean pollution on marine life and ecosystems. Additionally, the study revealed a lack of awareness about government policies and initiatives to combat ocean pollution.
The research highlights the need for increased awareness and education to bridge the knowledge-to-action gap. It also underscores the importance of improving public policies and regulations to address ocean pollution effectively.
The proposed communication strategy aims to address these findings by using a multi-channel approach that includes TV infomercials, social media campaigns, collaborations with local businesses, distribution of informative paper cups, and art festivals with a focus on trash art. These initiatives target the identified stakeholders and the broader population in Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar.
Conclusion
The study reveals a mixed level of awareness and concern about ocean pollution among the surveyed population in Chittagong City. While there is a foundation of knowledge, there is a need to deepen public awareness and foster a sense of responsibility toward mitigating ocean pollution. The proposed communication strategy, with its multi-channel approach, has the potential to address these gaps and promote eco-friendly practices.
Recommendations
• Education and Awareness: Develop and implement educational programs, infomercials, and social media campaigns to raise awareness about ocean pollution and its consequences among the target audience.
• Collaboration with Local Businesses: Collaborate with local brands, restaurants, and shops to promote and adopt eco-friendly methods, including the use of biodegradable materials instead of plastic.
• Engagement with Local Authorities: Advocate for stricter regulations and better enforcement of policies related to ocean pollution.
• ∫Trash Art Festivals: Host art festivals with a trash art theme to engage the community and encourage eco-conscious practices.
• Recyclable Paper Cups: Continue distributing recyclable paper cups with ocean pollution facts to tea vendors to engage the public in conversation and education.
• Discount Incentives: Provide discount vouchers to individuals who use eco-friendly products or dine at eco-friendly restaurants, encouraging sustainable choices.
• Government Engagement: Advocate for increased government initiatives and policies aimed at mitigating ocean pollution and protecting marine environments.
By implementing these recommendations and the proposed communication strategy, it is possible to bridge the knowledge-to-action gap and contribute to the reduction of ocean pollution in Chittagong City and Cox’s Bazaar.
Contribution of the Group Members
| SL | Name | ID | Contribution |
| 1 | Humaira Binte Kamal | 183012056 | Questionnaire Preparation, Data Collection, Introduction, Literature Review, Findings, Communication Table, Poster |
| 2 | Zakia Sultana Sanam | 201012045 | Questionnaire Preparation, Data Collection, Final Analysis, Poster, Abstract, Methodology, Discussion, Conclusion, Recommendation, Communication Table |
| 3 | Sarah Tasneem | 191012027 | Data Collection |
| 4 | SK Jannatun Naim | 201012068 | Data Collection |
References
01. Alam, M. W., & Xu, X. (2018). Marine Pollution Prevention in Bangladesh: A way forward for implement comprehensive national legal framework. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences, 35(1), 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-018-0078-x
02. Habiba, U. (2022, November 3). Marine pollution in Bangladesh is impeding blue economy growth. The Business Standard. https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/marine-pollution-bangladesh-impeding-blue-economy-growth-524866
03. Alam, M. W. (2023). Land-Based marine pollution: an emerging threat to Bangladesh. In IntechOpen eBooks. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107957
04. Visual Feature | Beat Plastic Pollution. (2022, March 1). https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3dCnBhBCEiwAVvLcu50wPVJ04HfYOUEXkedcbp018Ann7QuSXfnAgL54mnbi7FpewGwdPBoCVtAQAvD_BwE
05. EM International. (n.d.). Marine pollution in Bangladesh: its causes and impacts on the environment. http://www.envirobiotechjournals.com/article_abstract.php?aid=11395&iid=330&jid=4
Survey Link
THE COMMUNICATION PLAN TABLE
| Slogan | Model | Approach | Plan | Target Audience/Stakeholders |
| জেগে উঠুক পরিবর্তনের স্রোত..প্লাস্টিকের নয়!! | Source: Communication Officers of a development organization or NGO (us) Message: The audience should know how important it is to be aware of one of the most dangerous problems regarding climate change, which is ocean pollution. Media: Above the line:-Infomercials on local channels (BTV Chittagong) to educate the audience about ocean pollution and its correlation to humans- OVCs via social media Below The line:-Collaboration with local brands, restaurants and resorts to promote and adapt eco-friendly methods to better educate and aware the audience-Distribution of “Hiccups” (Fact cups)- Group Meetings-Art festival Receiver: People aged between 20 – 40, residing in Chittagong city and Cox’s Bazaar Obstacles:-Funding (Sponsorship)-Participation of the brands owners and restaurant owners | Solution Based Approach:1.Education: Educational programs or infomercials on local TV channels, educating the public about the consequences of ocean pollution. 2.Educational OVCs for social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok 3.Collaboration with the local brands, restaurants, shops to promote and adapt eco-friendly methods. 4.Group Meetings with resort and restaurant owners in beach areas hosted by communication officers of the NGO to help them understand why they need to adapt to eco-friendly methods 5.Distributing recyclable paper cups in tea stalls around beach areas with each cup containing a fact or an impact about ocean pollution. The cups will be named “Hiccups” Social Marketing based approach:1.Providing discount vouchers to people who will use eco-friendly brand products or dine at eco-friendly restaurants 2.Hosting two “week long art festivals” on the beaches of Cox’s Bazaar and Patenga with trash for theme. Participants will pay a small fee for entry and whoever incorporates the most amount of trash in their art will get a special prize (For example 2 nights stay in Royal Tulip Hotel, provided we get sponsorship from them) | Interpersonal Communication -Communicating with each of the tea vendors around the sea beach areas to promote “Hiccups” Group Communication-Meeting with resort and restaurant owners hosted by communication officers Public CommunicationHosting art festivals, open for all. Theme of the festival: Trash art Mass Communication-Infomercials on BTV Chittagong broadcasted throughout Chittagong-OVCs (Facebook & TikTok) | Target Audience: People Of Chittagong Location: Chittagong City & Cox’s BazaarAge group: 20- 40 Media consumption pattern of the targeted group: social media (82% of the people we surveyed selected social media as their primary media platform) Stakeholders-Local authorities-Local Brand owners-Local restaurant and resort owners-Universities-Local Tv channels-Tea vendors-Art curators |
THE AWARENESS POSTER
Learnings and Outcomes (Self-reflection):
• Enhanced understanding of the importance of environmental communication and advocacy in addressing real-world issues like ocean pollution.
• Improved skills in developing and executing a communication campaign targeted at a specific audience.
• Gained experience in using multimedia tools and social platforms to reach and engage the community effectively.
• Developed the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, including local authorities and environmental organizations.
• Fostered leadership and project management skills through planning, organizing, and evaluating the impact of the campaign.
• Increased awareness of the socio-economic and ecological impacts of pollution on both human health and marine ecosystems.
• Addressed how group polarization affects collective attitudes and behaviors towards environmental issues, emphasizing the need for targeted education to counteract divisive views and foster unified action.
• Improved the making and designing of the campaign posters with slogans that were simple.