Focal Areas

Strategic focal areas are the primary means by which the Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) implements our mission to develop practical solutions to major ocean challenges. With an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, our focal areas bring together scientific experts from across a range of disciplines and institutions, along with leaders from government, business and the nonprofit community. At COS, we recognize that meaningful solutions require ocean policies informed by relevant scientific research. By engaging a variety of partners in active problem solving through these focal areas, our vision is to translate science into action for a sustainable ocean future.

Climate Change

Understanding the threats of rising temperature and carbon dioxide levels facing ocean processes, habitats and organisms.

Ecosystem Health

Sustaining the supply of ecosystem goods and services to coastal societies without compromising ecosystem fundamental structure and functioning.

Land-Sea Interaction

Addressing the impacts of land-based activities and pollution on valuable coastal ecosystems.

Other Projects

The Center for Ocean Solutions also engages in targeted projects to help decision-makers meet specific problem-solving needs. These projects, often undertaken at the request of government, business and nonprofit leaders, allow us to provide expertise and services for individual issues beyond the scope of our focal areas.
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Featured Project

Pacific Ocean Project

A cross-cutting, international collaboration addressing the challenge of how to sustainably manage threats and impacts to the Pacific, the world’s largest ocean.

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