TM8 | The Need for a Sustained and Fit-for-Purpose Ocean Observing System: From Physics to Socio-Ecosystems

TM8

The Need for a Sustained and Fit-for-Purpose Ocean Observing System: From Physics to Socio-Ecosystems

Convener: Emma Heslop

Wed, 04 Jun, 09:00–10:00 (CEST)|Room 1

As climate change continues to have profound impacts on the oceans, there is an urgent need for solutions and reliable indicators to assess these effects on marine ecosystems and extreme events. The ocean plays a pivotal role in regulating the Earth’s climate, absorbing over 90% of the excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions and acting as a significant carbon sink. Consequently, understanding the changes in oceanic conditions is crucial not only for monitoring the health of marine ecosystems but also for forecasting and mitigating extreme events such as marine heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and coastal flooding.
Data from the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) underpins our understanding of the ocean’s role in climate regulation, ecosystem dynamics, weather and extreme events. Yet, in most countries, this critical infrastructure does not have identified and sustained funding support and collectively we face critical gaps in observational coverage—particularly in areas that we need to navigate a sustainable future, biodiversity, carbon, arctic, and deep-sea regions. A robust and sustainable global ocean observing system provides critical earth information for accurate climate modelling, disaster preparedness, and sustainable, evidence-based decision-making. Combining satellite technologies with in-situ observations, forecast models, and digital twins of the ocean, as an integrated support system that delivers essential data services for governments worldwide is also needed, however long-term investment into such collaboration falls short of what is required. Leveraging initiatives such as the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), and World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) offers opportunities to clearly identify and close these gaps.
The growing societal demand for comprehensive ocean information across diverse economic sectors highlights the need for a shift from sector-specific observation systems to holistic approaches. These new approaches should incorporate economic and societal parameters alongside traditional environmental data, such as ocean temperature, sea level, and carbon content.
A crucial element of this transition will be to include cost effeecitve and innovative technologies, such as autonomous sensors and platforms, citizen science, and participatory observation systems. These components are essential to enhance coverage in under-observed regions and provide real-time data for early-warning systems aimed at mitigating the risks of extreme ocean and weather events.

The design, coordination, and implementation of a comprehensive observing system—one that integrates multiple stakeholders, disciplines, and themes—require a thoughtful and strategic approach.
This involves:
Outlining a roadmap for expanding and consolidating existing observation frameworks to include a focus on extreme events and their impacts.
Incorporating observatories that monitor ecosystems, societal impacts, and economic parameters, alongside traditional physical variables, to capture the multifaceted nature of climate-driven changes.
Ensuring the feasibility and efficient implementation of the proposed system, by aligning resources and fostering collaboration between governmental agencies, research institutions, and civil society.
Identifying priority areas for pilot systems and demonstrators to validate methodologies, ensure scalability, and refine predictive models that link ocean dynamics to atmospheric and socio-economic extremes.