OOI Links Up with U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade
The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) has signed on as partner with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which is geared toward scientists, policy makers, managers, and service users working together to ensure that ocean science delivers greater benefits for the ocean ecosystem and for society. OOI is part of the Ocean Decade’s Ocean Science and Technology community, making its ocean data available to the world community.
To help advance the United States involvement in the UN Decade program, OOI has also joined forces as a nexus organization with the U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade (Ocean Decade U.S.). The goal is to ensure that the U.S. ocean science community is aware of and participating in activities related to the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
“OOI offers a wealth of ocean data that is being used to advance understanding of ocean processes,” said John Trowbridge, lead of OOI’s program office at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. “We think it is important to offer this valuable resource up to the world community, and by so doing, contribute to the advancement of a sustainable ocean that benefits all users.”
Two opportunities currently exist for members of the OOI community to get involved:
Share your transformative research ideas
The Ocean Decade U.S. is seeking transformative research ideas known as “Ocean-Shots,” that draw inspiration and expertise from multiple disciplines and fundamentally advance ocean science for sustainable development. The hope is that such innovative ideas will spark potentially disruptive advances in ocean science for sustainable development. Applications are due before December 1, 2020, so the time is now to gather your colleagues together and consider proposing some innovative research ideas. To learn more, click here or if you already have a great innovative idea, use a simple online form to submit your winning idea. Submitted “Ocean Shots” will be presented at the Ocean Decade U.S. Kickoff meeting, January 13-14, 2021.
Early Career Scientist Candidates Sought
Knowing that the fate of the global ocean rests with future generations, the US National Committee for the Ocean Decade is also seeking to include early career perspectives in the activities of the Committee. Early career natural scientists, social scientists, engineers, resource managers, and policy specialists are encouraged to apply as liaisons to the Committee. Again, the application deadline is December 1, 2020. If you are looking to have a voice in what the ocean may look like in the future and how it is used, consider applying today.
Adds Trowbridge, “There is no better time than now to consider the future ocean and how it might can be sustainably used now so its many wonders and resources will be available to future generations.”