Ocean Observations Physics and Climate Panel (OOPC)
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The Ocean Observations Physics and Climate Panel (OOPC) is a scientific expert advisory group charged with recommending a sustained global ocean observing system for climate in support of its sponsors’ goals.
This includes recommendations for phased implementation. The Panel also aids in the development of strategies for evaluation and evolution of the system and of its recommendations, and supports global ocean observing activities by interested parties through liaison and advocacy for the agreed observing plans. The OOPC is sponsored by the Global Climate (GCOS), the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).
Further Information about OOPC is available on the GOOS website.
Key activities
The OOPC mandate is to:
- Develop recommendations for a sustained global ocean observing system, in support of WCRP, GOOS, and GCOS climate objectives, including recommendations for phased implementation;
- Help develop a process for ongoing evaluation and evolution of the observing system and its recommendations;Support global ocean observing activities through liaison and advocacy for the agreed observing plans;
- Provide advice on scientific requirements to the Observations Coordination Group (OCG) under GOOS, which is responsible for the coordination and implementation of platform-based observing system components.
Current activities
To develop the observing system to ensure it meets evolving requirements, OOPC initiates thematic reviews and evaluations through projects or task teams, engaging the broader stakeholder community, including researchers, modelers, and operational users. Current foci are:
- Ocean Heat and Freshwater Storage
- Air Sea Fluxes
- Boundary Currents and their interaction with the shelf Seas
Ocean Observations Physics and Climate Panel (OOPC), Terms of Reference
OOPC Members
Additional Ex-Officio Members (Institutions):
- CLIVAR/WCRP
- GOOS Regional Alliances
- GOOS BioEco panel
- GOOS Biogeochemistry panel
- GOOS OCG