Abstract
The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and its partners have worked together over the past decade to break down barriers between open-ocean and coastal observing, between scientific disciplines, and between operational and research institutions. Here we discuss some GOOS successes and challenges from the past decade, and present ideas for moving forward, including highlights of the GOOS 2030 Strategy, published in 2019. The OceanObs' 09 meeting in Venice in 2009 resulted in a remarkable consensus on the need for a common set of guidelines for the global ocean observing community. Work following the meeting led to development of the Framework for Ocean Observing (FOO) published in 2012 and adopted by GOOS as a foundational document that same year. The FOO provides guidelines for the setting of requirements, assessing technology readiness, and assessing the usefulness of data and products for users. Here we evaluate successes and challenges in FOO implementation and consider ways to ensure broader use of the FOO principles. The proliferation of ocean observing activities around the world is extremely diverse and not managed, or even overseen by, any one entity. The lack of coherent governance has resulted in duplication and varying degrees of clarity, responsibility, coordination and data sharing. GOOS has had considerable success over the past decade in encouraging voluntary collaboration across much of this broad community, including increased use of the FOO guidelines and partly effective governance, but much remains to be done. Here we outline and discuss several approaches for GOOS to deliver more effective governance to achieve our collective vision of fully meeting society's needs. What would a more effective and well-structured governance arrangement look like? Can the existing system be modified? Do we need to rebuild it from scratch? We consider the case for evolution versus revolution. Community-wide consideration of these governance issues will be timely and important before, during and following the OceanObs' 19 meeting in September 2019.
Highlights
Toste Tanhua1*, Andrea McCurdy2, Albert Fischer3, Ward Appeltans4, Nicholas Bax5,6, Kim Currie7, Brad DeYoung8, Daniel Dunn9,10, Emma Heslop3, Linda K
The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals: At the June 2017 UN Ocean Conference, governments called for more resources for sustained ocean and coastal observation, “in order to increase our knowledge of the ocean, to better understand the relationship between climate and the health and productivity of the ocean, to strengthen the development of coordinated early warning systems on extreme weather events and phenomena, and to promote decision-making based on the best available science.”
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Steering Committee GOOS is guided by a Steering Committee, with 10 expert members appointed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Executive Secretary in consultation with sponsors, and five members selected by IOC regional electoral groups
Summary
The ocean affects humans in many ways, regardless of where we live It continues to produce most of the oxygen we breathe and is the primary controller of the global climate that makes this planet habitable. The UN Sustainable Development Goals: At the June 2017 UN Ocean Conference, governments called for more resources for sustained ocean and coastal observation, “in order to increase our knowledge of the ocean, to better understand the relationship between climate and the health and productivity of the ocean, to strengthen the development of coordinated early warning systems on extreme weather events and phenomena, and to promote decision-making based on the best available science.”. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement (2015) note the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including those in the ocean, and call on countries to strengthen, “systematic observation of the climate system and early warning systems, in a manner that informs climate services and supports decision-making.”. Three new recommended expert panels were formed, and the GRA Council was reinvigorated
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