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Pacific Ocean Initiative
Pacific Ocean Synthesis
and Scientific Consensus Statement
Comprising half the world's ocean area, and one-third of the earth’s surface, the Pacific Ocean is the largest single geographic feature on our planet. This vast region hosts complex ecosystems and ocean-based economies that produce a wealth of resources for local and global consumption, yet is not being sustainably managed. To address this enormous challenge, the Center for Ocean Solutions has launched the Pacific Ocean Initiative.
- Pacific Ocean Synthesis: Scientific Literature Review of Coastal and Ocean Threats, Impacts and Solutions.
- Pacific Ocean Synthesis: Executive Summary
Pacific Ocean Scientific Consensus Statement
As part of its Pacific Ocean Initiative, the Center for Ocean Solutions—in collaboration with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Marine Programme and the Ocean Conservancy—brought together leading scientists from more than 30 countries to develop Ecosystems and People of the Pacific Ocean – Threats and Opportunities for Action: A Scientific Consensus Statement.
This statement:
- Identifies the four most serious threats to the health and productivity of the entire Pacific Ocean for which there is broad consensus in the scientific community: pollution, over fishing, habitat destruction and climate change.
- Shows the commonality of problems faced by both Pacific Rim and Pacific Island nations, by countries very different in wealth, population, size, and culture, and shows the need for regional solutions.
- Was signed by over three hundred scientists from more than 30 nations
- Is the first time in history the science community has gotten together to speak with one voice and express a united sense of urgency about the threats facing the Pacific Ocean.
- Enables leaders to develop a unified effort to address these threats now by identifying the most widespread and persistent threats.
- Provides a scientific basis for key leaders and decision makers throughout the Pacific region collectively to call for urgent action.
The Statement is one of the first steps in the Pacific Ocean 2020 Challenge, an ambitious initiative by the IUCN to identify the threats and impacts to the Pacific Ocean and to develop and implement solutions.
To sign the Pacific Ocean Scientific Consensus Statement send an e-mail with your name and institution to POIstatement@stanford.edu
Learn More:
- Pacific Ocean Scientific Consensus Statement
- The publications used to develop the Statement can be found in the Pacific Ocean Library
- Threats to the Pacific: A consensus and a plan: Video
- Major Threats Facing the Pacific Ocean: Infographic
- More on Threats
How the Statement was developed:
We reviewed and synthesized the findings of more than 3,400 peer-reviewed scientific publications on the Pacific Ocean and compiled a draft synthesis report. We validated the report with scientists from around the Pacific including Australia, Taiwan, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, U.S., Canada, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Federated States of Micronesia, Philippines, New Caledonia, Palau, China, Chile, Solomon Islands, Japan, Russia and Colombia. We collaborated with this international group of scientists to draft the consensus statement based on the synthesis report. The report is under revision and is scheduled to be ready for release in November 2008.
Why the statement was developed:
We wrote the consensus statement to draw attention to the serious problems facing the Pacific Ocean, and to inspire leaders from the business, NGO, and government communities to address these problems now in order to help the hundreds of millions of people who depend on the Pacific’s vast resources.
Pacific Ocean Library
The publications used to develop the Statement can be found in the Pacific Ocean Library
Features of the Pacific Ocean Library include:
- Fully browsable and searchable database
- Citations from peer-reviewed journals, books, reports, and conference proceedings
- Was signed by over three hundred scientists from more than 30 nations
- Article abstracts
- Links to help you find online sources of complete works (e.g. article PDFs)
- Ability to export citations in a number of popular formats
- Citations added and database improved on an ongoing basis
Over the next several months, we will be seeking permissions to post full-text articles and will continue to upgrade the library's content. We hope that you will email us with any suggestions you have for improving the database.
Click here to enter the Pacific Ocean Library
-Mike Chrisman, California State Secretary for Resources