Ocean acoustics and the UN decade of ocean science for sustainable development

Abstract

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade) was initiated in 2021 and runs until 2030. The Ocean Decade seeks transformative ocean science solutions that connects people to our oceans to bring about positive change. This motivated an idea that ocean acoustics has a role to play among the larger ocean sciences as they relate to climate change and the emerging blue economy. On World Ocean Day 2021 (June 8), the Ocean Decade Research Programme on the Maritime Acoustic Environment (OD-MAE) was included among the first Ocean Decade actions endorsed by the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC). Inspired by Lindsay’s “wheel of acoustics,” the OD-MAE program is envisioned as a hub for coordinating studies involving rigorous and principled used of sound to address questions relating to all aspects of ocean science and engineering, development, policy, and management. The program seeks to support the development of both people and capabilities that enable a quantitative linkage between an acoustic environment and the physical and biological components and processes occurring within that environment. This presentation will introduce the OD-MAE program, describe some of the initiative underway within it, and provide information on how to get involved.