CCS: Science for Global Ocean Action
On World Ocean Day this year — Sunday June 8th — I sat in a UNESCO workshop in Nice, France on the eve of the UN Ocean Conference. This international gathering of world leaders, policy makers, scientists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, practitioners and others provided an unparalleled opportunity to take the pulse of global efforts to accelerate ocean conservation and sustainable use.
Worldwide momentum in this realm was on full display the prior week at the associated One Ocean Congress where a number of themes emerged. We heard about intensifying threats and patterns of degradation in the marine environment — particularly in areas where action is lagging. At the same time, we learned about a surge of creative solutions that are being developed and mobilized to turn the tide. Underlying it all was a shared recognition that the livelihoods of people around the world depend on a healthy ocean — for food, climate regulation, cultural identity and economic resilience.
Sitting among the global community, I felt a renewed sense of purpose in the work we’re doing at the Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS). In many ways, we are on the front lines of these same challenges. For example, we’re leading efforts to track and model the effects of water quality threats from hurricanes and deoxygenation events, developing ways to harness nature to protect coastal homes and critical infrastructure, and bringing our expertise on harmful algal blooms directly into communities to engage with concerned citizens – all activities that you can learn more about in this issue of our newsletter.
The opportunity to engage with the international community that had gathered for the UN Ocean Conference also led me to reflect on CCS’s place in the world. So much of our identity has been rooted in Florida’s coasts — for good reason. Florida’s 1,350 miles of coastline and 16 million residents living in its coastal zones makes it a natural focal point for coastal research and resilience efforts. We’re based within a day’s drive of the entire coast, on the flagship campus of the Florida State University System. Many of our key partners and valued supporters are here, and Florida offers an ideal living laboratory for studying coastal challenges and piloting solutions with global relevance.
But as I listened to conversations at the conference, I found myself considering the broader scope of our work. CCS is increasingly part of a global network. Our scholars come to UF from around the world, and many go on to serve in professional roles abroad — extending our impact far beyond state or national boundaries.
We have ongoing projects and collaborators in Europe, Asia, Latin America and beyond. We have training opportunities that send both graduate and undergraduate students overseas, and we’re laying the groundwork for international classes in the near future. These global activities bring fresh perspectives, broader impacts and new resources. Far from pulling focus away from our Florida work, they reinforce and strengthen our core activities, elevating our mission, enhancing our credibility and expanding our community.
I look forward to building on this momentum — together with the CCS team and our partners — to strengthen our role on the world stage and ensure that the work we do at home continues to inspire, inform and connect with efforts across the globe to protect our oceans.
Andrew H. Altieri
Interim Director
Center for Coastal Solutions