Session 2. Systematic, sustained and integrated global ocean observations

Co-Convenors:
Keith Alverson (UNEP, Division of Environmental Policy Implementation)
Dong-Young Lee (Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Korea)

Invited Speakers:
Hee-Dong Jeong (National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Korea)
Eric Lindstrom (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA)

Over the past two decades a sustained ocean observations for climate have evolved from a patchwork of research efforts to a sustained Global Ocean Observing System. A network of satellites and in situ platforms are monitoring essential climate variables in service of research needs and societal benefits. Reporting to the parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change ensures the adequacy of the system for purposes largely associated with detection and attribution of anthropogenic climate change. This session seeks to build on these past successes, but with an eye to the future of sustained ocean monitoring. In particular, focusing on sustained ocean observations is required in support of climate change adaptation measures and biogeochemical variables. Prioritization and assessment of climate change adaptation measures will call for very different monitoring strategies than have been designed for detection and attribution. At the same time, monitoring non-climatic targets, including for example acidification, biodiversity changes and ecosystem shifts, will require that new variables are integrated with the existing system. The session is based on a broad range of presentations on ocean monitoring, including both past results and future strategies.

Eric Lindstrom, John Gunn, Albert Fischer, Candyce Clark and Andrea McCurdy
Presented by Andrea McCurdy and Candyce Clark on behalf of Eric Lindstrom
The framework for ocean observing: Best practices for the global observing system (S2-8279), Invited
[pdf, 1.2 Mb]