With the current and increasingly urgent need for nations to take decisions related to the impact of climate change, the Ocean Observing System Report Card 2019 provides insight into the status of the global ocean observing system and highlights the need for sustained ocean monitoring.
In Situ and Satellite Observing System Status
Find the Report Card 2019 here.
In 2018, extreme weather and climate events affected about 62 million people with many parts of the globe impacted by climate change. The current increase of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere is having a significant impact on temperatures, with 2015-2018 having been confirmed as the four warmest years on record and with an unprecedented increase in ocean acidity which is impacting a number of commercial fisheries.
The global ocean observing system networks are also fundamental in providing critical data to nations for delivering marine weather and ocean services, to ensure safe and efficient maritime operations, and improving emergency response efficiency for extreme events. They are also crucial for providing scientific assessments to enable environmental prediction and adaptation to climate change, as well as leading to more effective protection of ecosystems. To better meet expanding societal needs, the global ocean observing system is introducing new technologies and improved capabilities. These advancements will provide more observational information in real-time and long duration high-quality data needed for detection of ocean change, as well as help to address the lack of data in poorly sampled regions.
The sustained ocean observing networks are internationally coordinated by the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM), under the Observation Coordination Group. JCOMM works across oceanographic and marine meteorological communities for observations, data management and services, in order to maximize value and impact for local, regional and global societal issues.
