The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy today highlighted Acting Director Alondra Nelson’s participation at the G7 Science Ministerial Meeting in Germany, which included a focus on synergistic research for biodiversity and climate change.
In her remarks, Nelson said that 2022 is “the year to turn the tide on oceans” and address research challenges and make needed investments, calling the integration of biodiversity and climate research “critical” to sustainability and ecological and human health.
In doing so, she highlighted the Biden administration’s development of the National Nature Assessment, which she said will enhance understanding of the ocean, biodiversity, and climate and how nature interacts with society, as well as evaluate how sustainable ocean management can contribute to conservation, climate, economic, and national security goals.
Nelson said that marine biodiversity faces threats from pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change, and that science must be designed in a way that enables study of the interactions among the ocean, biodiversity, and climate.
She specifically underscored the importance of collaborative ocean observation, exploration, and research, as well as accessible ocean observations that are shared globally and equitably, and pledged continued support for global cooperation on ocean observing while calling at the Argo program as an example of a successful international partnership.
