The ocean is fundamental to life on Earth.
It sustains natural systems and provide resources that make Earth habitable for humankind. Human activity, however, is causing rapid global changes that affect the ocean’s health and productivity. Global warming, changing weather patterns, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events, disrupt economies and deeply affect our daily lives. These environmental stressors modify the coastline and, along with pollution and fishery activity, alter marine populations, harm ecosystems, and threaten biodiversity. Moreover, the ocean host the sources of devastating natural hazards, which episodically hit the coasts causing huge human and economic losses.
The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) is the fourth largest research institute of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the largest dedicated to marine research. Under the motto “Ocean Science for a Healthy Planet,” the ICM conducts frontier research and foster both knowledge and technology transfer on topics related to ocean and climate interactions, conservation and sustainable use of marine life and ecosystems, and impact mitigation of natural and anthropogenic hazards. In-depth knowledge, determined action, and coordinated management are essential to confronting these global challenges, thereby driving sustainable development of humankind.