Our Ocean Conference commitments

Colleagues, 
  
This week, NSF announced $246 Million in commitments at Our Ocean Conference in Panama to address threats to our ocean and planet. Together with our allies and partners we will protect the ocean for future generations. 
  
Led by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, NSF joined the U.S. government delegation to mobilize action. Our Ocean Conferences bring together countries and non-state actors, including from the private sector, intergovernmental organizations, academia, and nongovernmental organizations, to commit to concrete action to advance ocean health and security. 
  
NSF Director Panchanathan acknowledges “The future of science and technology requires a renewed commitment from like-minded partners around the world to strengthen and scale global innovation ecosystems.” By expanding bilateral and international cooperation at #OurOceanPanama, we are working to ensure the ocean can continue to sustain our planet and human life. 
  
At Our Ocean 2023, NSF highlighted 14 contributions supported from Directorates across the Foundation (GEO, TIP, ENG, & OISE) which include: 

  • USD 82 million for Coastlines and People Hubs to further understanding of complex coastal systems and hazards, and to improve coastal hazard prediction, responses, and mitigation efforts 
  • USD 49 million for the National Deep Submergence Facility (2022-2026) to support the operations of deep submergence science vehicles 
  • USD 30 million to tackle challenges related to the blue economy through the Convergence Accelerator Program 
  • USD 25 million for the Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP) Science and Technology Center (STC) to reduce the uncertainties of climate projections 
  • USD 11.5 million for Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges in support of innovative "circular economy" approaches 
  • USD 11 million for research on marine diseases connected with climate change in commercially harvested marine species 
  • USD 7.5 million for the CLIMATE Justice initiative to support a diverse and culturally competent ocean and geoscience workforce 
  • USD 6.5 million for Environmental Convergence Opportunities in Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (ECO-CBET) to support combating climate change and mitigating its impacts 
  • USD 5 million for the Near-Trench Community Geodetic Experiment to better understand and predict major hazards to maritime security 
  • USD 5 million for National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) ocean modeling and observation to improve our understanding of climate change and better inform decision-makers 
  • USD 4 million for research to understand dense water pathways that impact the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) 
  • USD 3.5 million for research on ocean-located renewable energy development 
  • USD 3.5 million for research into sea ice-ocean exchange of microplastic in the Arctic 
  • USD 2.5 million to formalize interdisciplinary climate-training and professional development through the Climate Leaders Academy 

  
Read the U.S. Department of State press release. 
 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Jim McManus 
Division Director, OCE 

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