Ocean Decade U.S.

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Global

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The ocean is central to the functioning of the planet and human well-being, but ongoing depletion, disruption, and pollution threaten its future. From 2021-2030, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development will focus scientific initiatives across the globe on the science needed to ensure sustainable use of ocean resources and long-term ocean health. The U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade will encourage participation and serve as a communication channel for the U.S. ocean science community throughout this international effort.

News and updates

Early Career Liaison Kailani Acosta Advances Ocean Science at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

Program News

We spoke with U.S. Ocean Decade Early Career Liaison Kailani Acosta about her work as part of the Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network Programme under the UN Ocean Decade.

Sep 16, 2025

International Ocean Conference: Ocean and Human Health

Update

On December 11–12, the National Decade Committee of Portugal will host an international conference in Lisbon exploring how ocean systems impact human health. The event will bring together global experts to address issues from marine natural products to plastic pollution and climate change. U.S. speakers include Valerie Paul (Smithsonian Institution), Margaret Spring (Monterey Bay Aquarium), and Susan Roberts (National Academies)

Nov 12, 2025

Call for Decade Actions No. 11/2026

Update

The UN Ocean Decade has opened their call for Decade Actions No. 11/2026 which will run through May 31 (Programmes) and August 31 (Projects and Contributions).

Oct 28, 2025

About Publications/Resources Past Events News and Updates

Description

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will serve as the organizational center for coordination of scientific initiatives to inspire U.S. contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). NASEM will leverage its convening power of top experts in the wide range of disciplines that contribute to the advancement of sustainable development goals for the ocean.

NASEM will establish the U.S. National Committee for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (US National Committee) to convene activities to enable routine, cross-sectoral coordination within the U.S. on relevant initiatives. NASEM will develop, produce, and disseminate information regarding UN Decade events to the broad community of ocean stakeholders in the U.S. and relevant international scientific organizations. The U.S. National Committee will provide oversight for these activities and will convene annual meetings in support of these coordination functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. National Committee is composed of experts selected by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (the Academies) for their expertise in issues of relevance to the UN Ocean Decade. Most of the members are concurrently members of the Ocean Studies Board, a body composed to advise the Academies on ocean science, policies, and infrastructure.
The U.S. National Committee catalyzes and promotes the development of promising ocean science programs in the U.S. and represents the U.S. during the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development's international efforts. The committee neither submits nor endorses UN Ocean Decade programs, projects, or activities.
The U.S. National Committee serves as the coordination and communication center for U.S. activities in support of the Ocean Decade. The U.S. National Committee engages the U.S. ocean community and facilitates development of initiatives that will advance science in support of UN Ocean Decade Outcomes. The committee is recognized by the UN Ocean Decade as the official National Decade Committee for the U.S. and participants in various Decade events in this capacity.
U.S. organizations are encouraged to participate in the Decade by joining the Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus. Nexus membership is for established organizations with a U.S. presence. A Nexus organization shares and helps communicate news about U.S. efforts related to the Decade. To apply to become a Nexus member, please apply here.
To get involved and stay informed, follow the Ocean Decade Events Calendar for Ocean Decade-related events from Nexus members, the UN, the U.S. National Committee, and other related entities. You can also subscribe to the U.S. National Committee mailing list. Early career natural scientists, social scientists, engineers, resource managers, and policy specialists are encouraged to apply for a position as an Early Career Liaison to join and contribute to committee meetings and help disseminate information about U.S. efforts during the Decade.
Ocean Shots are a call for ambitious, transformational research concepts that are interdisciplinary and fundamentally advance U.S. ocean science for sustainable development. The goal of Ocean-Shots is to create innovative science that will advance progress toward the UN Ocean Decade goals. Ocean-Shots will stimulate cross-disciplinary communication and lead to the science we need for the ocean we want.

Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus

Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus organizations commit to helping share and communicate news about U.S. efforts related to the Decade. Nexus organizations:
- receive regular updates on the work of the U.S. National Committee for the Decade
- may receive communications tools about the Decade’s activities; and
- may be referenced on the Ocean Decade US website
- submit their own announcements for posting on the Ocean Decade US website
- share announcements from the U.S. National Committee for the Decade with their audiences
- support the Ocean Decade US social media and public engagement campaigns;
- attend meetings hosted by the U.S. National Committee for the Decade

Ocean Decade Calendar

View Ocean Decade's upcoming events calendar or submit your own Ocean Decade event.

Contributors

Committee

Chair

Vice Chair

Member

Ex Officio Member

Susan J. Roberts

Staff Officer

Staff

Susan Roberts

Lead

Safah Wyne

Madeline Jensen

Parent projects

Ocean Studies Board

Standing Committee

In Progress

Child projects

Ocean-Shots

Award/Competition

In Formation

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Major units and sub-units

Center for Health, People, and Places

Lead

Earth Systems and Resources Program Area

Lead

Contact

Contact us

Susan Roberts
SRoberts@nas.edu

Provide feedback

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Subscribe to Emails from the National Academies

Stay up to date on activities, publications, and events by subscribing to email updates.

Ocean Decade U.S.

News and updates

Description

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus

Ocean Decade Calendar

Contributors

Committee

Sponsors

Staff

Parent projects

Ocean Studies Board

Child projects

Ocean-Shots

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade

Major units and sub-units

Contact

Contact us

Provide feedback

More like this

University-Industry Demonstration Partnership

Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) Program

InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)

Community-Driven Green Infrastructure

Mississippi River 100

Gulf Futures Challenge

Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Electricity System: A Workshop

Review of the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project: Cycle 2

U.S. Army National Guard Joint Base Cape Cod Small Arms Ranges and Their Impact on the Cape Cod Sole Source Aquifer

My Academies

Ocean Decade U.S.

Dropdown items

News and updates

Description

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the U.S. National Committee on Ocean Science for Sustainable Development?

What is the Committee's role in the Decade?

What is the difference between U.S. National Committee and other entities engaged in the Decade?

How can my organization get involved in the Decade?

How can I get involved in the Decade?

What are Ocean-Shots?

Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus

Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus

What does it mean to be an Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus organization?

We request that Ocean Decade U.S. Nexus organizations:

Nexus Members

Ocean Decade Calendar

Contributors

Committee

Sponsors

Staff

Parent projects

Ocean Studies Board

Child projects

Ocean-Shots

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade

Major units and sub-units

Contact

Contact us

Provide feedback

More like this

University-Industry Demonstration Partnership

Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) Program

InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)

Community-Driven Green Infrastructure

Mississippi River 100

Gulf Futures Challenge

Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Electricity System: A Workshop

Review of the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project: Cycle 2

U.S. Army National Guard Joint Base Cape Cod Small Arms Ranges and Their Impact on the Cape Cod Sole Source Aquifer