The ocean is a vital and complex natural system. We need to build literacy and skills, and share and apply knowledge of how ocean ecosystems work, and how they respond to stressors to better inform decision-making. Accounting that captures the full value of ocean assets and the ocean economy is critical to guide the sustainable development of ocean industries. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021—2030) represents a unique opportunity to enhance the scientific understanding of the ocean.
The ocean forms a globally connected ecosystem and highly dynamic environment of physical, chemical, and biological interaction.
It maintains a great diversity of life, exchanges mass and heat with the atmosphere and controls our climate. The ocean, including coastal and nearshore areas, thus provide services essential for life on earth and to the history, culture, and livelihoods of people across the globe.
However, the ocean is also facing multiple challenges from climate change, overfishing, acidification, de-oxygenation, and pollution. Accordingly, the United Nations referred to the importance of a healthy ocean in several of their Sustainable Development Goals.
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