Oceans
The health of oceans is intimately connected with the health of the planet. And yet, oceans, which make up 71 percent of Earth, are facing immense risks due to climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices. International policy governing the ocean is in murky water. With ever-intensifying global environmental change upon us, charting a clear path for protecting the ocean will require smart policies and innovative programs.
The goal of the Ocean Initiative at the Wilson Center is to develop landmark transdisciplinary programming that tackles key areas of oceanic policy: climate-proofing and resiliency development; strengthening security & governance; and tackling environmental epidemics, like ocean plastics. Over the next five years, the Ocean Initiative aims to advance public dialogue and bolster informed public policy dialogue multilaterally on these issues.
Insights & Analysis
Learn MoreEmpty Nets: Big Changes in a Great American Fishery | The Effects
Empty Nets: Big Changes in a Great American Fishery | The Problem
The Wilson Center's China Environment Forum and Serious Games Initiatives are currently developing an educational digital game, The Plastic Pipeline, which will raise public awareness on the plastic product lifecycle and policies as well as consumer actions to slow plastic leakage into the ocean.
Learn moreTackling plastic pollution, Earth Challenge 2020 will help fulfill our goal of engaging millions of global citizens while integrating billions of data points from new and ongoing citizen science projects.
Get InvolvedMaking a Splash: Latest Work On Oceans
Learn MoreEmpty Nets: Big Changes in a Great American Fishery | The Effects
Empty Nets: Big Changes in a Great American Fishery | The Problem
Leading Staff
Lauren Herzer Risi
Jennifer L. Turner
Elizabeth M H Newbury
Anne Bowser
Amanda King
Leading Experts
Ambassador David Balton
Sherri Goodman
Author, Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership & the Fight for Global Security.