ABOUT THE OCEAN STATE REPORT
The Ocean State Report is an annual publication of the Copernicus Marine Service and Mercator Ocean International [3] providing a comprehensive, state-of-the-art report on the current state, natural variations, and ongoing changes in the global ocean and European regional seas. The goal of the Ocean State Report is to provide reliable and scientifically-assured information, drawing on data from the 1970s to present. The report is written by over 150 scientific experts from more than 30 European institutions.
There is particular emphasis on European seas, as the Ocean State Report is meant to act not only as a reference for a global audience, but more directly for the activities of the European Union.
The Ocean State Report 5 Summary is now available online from the Copernicus Marine Service and Mercator Ocean International (the full report from the JOO will be available in the next 24 hours). This annual publication provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art report on the current state, natural variations, and ongoing changes in the European regional seas and global ocean, particularly in 2019. Available in a concise, illustrated, and easily accessible format, the Summary (available in English and French) is intended to act as a reference for the scientific community, policy-makers, and the general public to better understand the importance and impacts of a changing ocean.
The Summary is divided into four chapters, presenting the data of a changing ocean from several angles. Chapters one, two, and three present the state and key observations of a changing ocean, examine the evolving impacts of these changes in line with climate change, and discuss the importance of sustainable ocean governance for managing impacts. The Summary concludes with chapter four which highlights new tools developed using Copernicus Marine Service products and illustrates how accurate and timely information is key to monitoring, understanding, and adapting to a changing ocean. The sections below highlight the key points discussed in each chapter.
Chapter one discusses the importance of the ocean, its current state, and the key changes observed in 2019 and 2020. The global ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface and is responsible for regulating the Earth’s climate and sustaining life. However, the ocean is undergoing swift, stark, and severe changes from natural variations, overexploitation, and anthropogenic influences. Human-induced climate change has already contributed roughly 1.1°C to global warming [1], causing unprecedented changes which are affecting the ocean, its coasts, and its composition.
To track these changes, key Ocean Monitoring Indicators – a set of simple, easy-to-understand parameters for describing, measuring, and monitoring the state of the ocean – observe relevant ocean phenomena, such as sea level rise or sea ice decline. The summary draws on this catalogue of indicators to provide the data necessary to monitor current changes and predict future changes across the Blue, Green, and White ocean.
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Copernicus Marine Service, 22 September 2021. Full article.
