Towards a Global, Sustainable Ocean Observation System Serving Socio-Ecosystems

As climate change intensifies, the ocean is undergoing profound transformations, with cascading impacts on ecosystems, weather patterns, and human societies. Acting as a major heat and carbon sink, the ocean is central to the Earth’s climate system. Monitoring changes in ocean conditions—such as temperature, salinity, and circulation—is critical for understanding marine ecosystem health and anticipating extreme events like marine heatwaves, cyclones, and coastal flooding.

These shifts also influence atmospheric dynamics, driving more frequent and intense weather events. To address these challenges, a sustained, accurate, and globally coordinated ocean observing system is essential. Such a system must integrate diverse knowledge—scientific, local, and Indigenous—and support inclusive, transdisciplinary approaches inspired by the broader spirit of SDG 14.

This vision calls for interoperable systems across physical, ecological, and socio-economic domains, enabling timely, policy-relevant data. It builds on existing efforts like GOOS, GEO BON, and Future Earth, encouraging collaboration across sectors. Rather than creating new structures, it emphasizes enhancing coordination, addressing fragmentation, and filling knowledge gaps.

To expand capacity, the system should include innovative, low-cost technologies and participatory methods, especially in under-observed regions, to meet growing needs for real-time data, early warnings, and adaptation strategies.

This document presents a joint manifesto, structured around key messages and 4 strategic priorities to strengthen ocean observation, reflecting a shared vision and outlining concrete pathways for future action.

Key Messages

- Ocean observation is essential public infrastructure: It must be recognized, protected, and sustainably funded as a global public good that supports adaptation, risk reduction, and informed governance.

- GOOS is a foundational success: The Global Ocean Observing System has enabled a coordinated, multi-platform approach to ocean data, benefitting multiple sectors.

- Urgent investment is needed: Scaling up observation efforts, especially in under-observed regions, requires long-term and equitable funding strategies.

- Inclusion and co-production are vital: Incorporating Indigenous, local, and citizen-generated knowledge, alongside social science perspectives, increases the legitimacy and usability of ocean intelligence.

Strategic Priorities

1. Integration of Natural and Social Sciences
Encourage methodological innovation and the co-production of knowledge that values diverse indicators—such as human health, cultural values, and socio-ecological relationships—alongside biophysical data.

2. Mainstreaming Ocean Data into Policy
Strengthen institutional bridges between observing systems and decision-making across sectors like energy, health, fisheries, and urban planning, to ensure ocean data informs public policies.

3. Institutional Innovation for Actionable Intelligence
Promote inclusive advisory mechanisms and improved science-policy interfaces. Foster foresight processes that translate complex data into fair, just, and timely decisions.

4. Ocean Intelligence in Global Diplomacy
Embed ocean observation in ocean-climate diplomacy and sustainable development strategies. Support international cooperation through initiatives such as the European Ocean Pact or similar frameworks.

Credit Image : Sabrina Speich