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The oceans play a major role in Earth's climate system. Oceans affect the timing and patterns of climate change by exchanging heat and water with the atmosphere, and by serving as both a source and sink of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. In addition, coastal areas of the world are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate variability and change - especially sea-level rise and the potential impacts of climate change on extremes in weather such as hurricane intensity and frequency. The oceans are also the site of other large-scale environmental changes, such as the collapse of many marine ecosystems. The National Research Council carries out a variety of studies, workshops, and meetings and publishes numerous reports on science-policy issues related to global environmental change and oceans and coasts. To learn more, visit the links below.
Coastal & Ocean Studies activities at the National Academies:
