The GlobalCoast Initiative of CoastPredict: from operational oceanography to management solutions

CoastPredit general aim is : co-design and implement an integrated coastal ocean observing and predicting system adhering to best practices and standards, designed as a global framework and implemented locally.

Current solutions and services for global coastal areas often do not include the establishment of monitoring and prediction systems to evaluate impacts ranging from specific events to long-term climate trends. Components of such systems do exist but do not necessarily provide the accuracy needed. For instance, storm surge prediction solutions have predominantly relied on depth-integrated modeling, which limits the direct consideration of climate change-induced sea level trends resulting from ocean warming and freshening, processes that are different on the surface and at depth. 

The GlobalCoast CoastPredict initiative aims at providing integrated coastal ocean monitoring and prediction systems as part of a comprehensive, science-based approach for global and local solutions under international standards. Additionally, solutions and services have not been systematically compared across coastal regions. For example, the prediction and monitoring systems for the loss of coastal coral reefs vary across the world’s oceans without clear justification.

The CoastPredict GlobalCoast initiative aims to address this gap by identifying global coastal areas where similar solutions can be implemented, tested, and refined, or alternatively, where distinct solutions are necessary. 

To achieve its general aim and its implementation principles, CoastPredict has established the GlobalCoast Network, defining pilot sites to implement CoastPredict solutions and enhance coastal resilience services . The GlobalCoast survey will be reviewed where the resilience challenges specific to each Pilot site were identified.