Forward thinkers across disciplines are raising awareness about the effects of a changing climate on national and human security. Specifically, a new focus is emerging on how climate change impacts ocean systems and the oceans’ subsequent vital role in exacerbating or mitigating these impacts. Thus, understanding the inter-connectedness between oceans, climate and security is increasingly crucial to our collective future. For instance, ocean acidification and warming, melting polar ice and sea level rise each pose critical threats to human populations, natural systems and global security.

The First Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security (GCOCS) is designed to:

• Raise the awareness level of the threat of climate change to our oceans and the consequent threat to our human and national security
• Identify and prioritize the knowledge gaps in science and technology which inhibit understanding, response and adaptation to future threats
• Generate comprehensive human security policy and governance recommendations reflecting the climate, ocean, and security continuum