THE NOC ASSOCIATION: 30th MARCH 2015
Why invest in Ocean Science?
Professor Ed Hill OBE
Executive Director
National Oceanography Centre
The NOC Association
Why invest in Ocean Science?
A vast economic
resource
Human activities
are putting the
ocean under
increasing pressure
Growing risk from
ocean hazards
The ocean remains
poorly understood
Predicting climate
depends on
understanding the
ocean
New technology is
leading us to the
edge of a
revolution
The NOC Association
Hurricane Katrina couresy NASA/Jeff
Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid
Response Team
Image: The Guardian
Image: University of Southampton
UK interests in the ocean
Out of 224 Government
policies, 28 have a marine
dimension
Present a flood
risk to 4 million
people and £150
billion of assets
The UK’s marine EEZ is
3.5 times its land area
Underpin a UK
maritime
economy worth
£50 billion/year
The ocean
and seas
Over 40% of UK
waters are in the
deep sea
support
900,000 jobs
carry 95% pf
our
international
trade and 95%
of Internet
traffic
The NOC Association
World-class UK marine science base
Council of Canadian
Academies (2013)
Ocean Science in
Canada: Meeting the
Challenge, Seizing the
Opportunity
Excess heat and carbon
Sea level trends
Ocean-related tipping points
Seasonal weather predictions
Deep sea biological diversity
The Atlantic, Arctic
and Southern Ocean
are where the most
profound changes in
the global ocean are
happening.
Sea floor and sub-seafloor resources and hazards
Autonomous technologies
The NOC Association
World-class marine research infrastructure
£345(1) million
capital investment in
global-class research
ships
RRS Discovery
New Polar Research Ship
Isis Remotely Operated Vehicle
RRS Discovery: Chou Pesqueira CNP Freire, S.A
RRS James Cook
(1) Figure includes costs for works at the UK's Antarctic research stations.
Ocean research is providing tangible benefits to the UK
Climate
change and
variability
Effective
ocean
stewardship
Engaging the
public
Marinerelated
hazards
Ocean
resources
Supporting
UK business
Operational
oceanography
Hurricane Katrina couresy NASA/Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team
UK influence and position
Limitations to and loss of capability
Failure to capitalise on investment
Loss of expertise
Inefficiency in delivery of science
Impact on international endeavours
Technology development
The NOC Association
What more could be achieved with
further investment?
Increase resilience to weather and climate variability
Support UK businesses working in deep sea frontier
environments
Maximise return on developing ocean technology and
investment in world class research infrastructure
Growth of scientific industries
Exploitation of ‘blue growth’ opportunities
The NOC Association
Science for our Future
Ocean Science is Big Science
The Ocean – resources, hazards, climate, under pressure
UK interests – maritime nation, global influencer
Excellence – ocean science, technology, infrastructure
Big questions – large gaps, sparse data, discovery
Making an impact – business, policy, regulation
At stake - failure to invest
The opportunity - capitalise on advantage
The NOC Association
The UK is a world-leader in ‘big ocean science’.
Now is the time to invest and capitalise on our strengths,
advantages and opportunities
Image: Leighton Rolley
Background image: Leighton Rolley