The Ocean Today

United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

A compendium of some of the best news and information to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework and responsible science for sustainable development of the ocean. Explore the Decade.

Distance Learning Resources for Covid19

To support all educators and parents navigating a new learning landscape, the World Ocean Observatory is gathering a compendium of home-study tools and resources for teaching and learning about the ocean. These resources can be used by parents, schools, educators and others to address the educational gaps created by Covid-19. This list of resources is a work in progress: please reach out if you have other key elements that we should be sharing with our global community.

worldoceanobservatory.org/distance-learning-resources-covid19

World Ocean Forum

World Ocean Forum is a place for key ocean voices: professionals and Citizens of the Ocean alike, to contribute to an active forum of opinion, ideas, and proposals for change in ocean policy and action worldwide. World Ocean Forum is actively pursuing submissions. To inquire about becoming a contributing writer, please contact us: director@thew2o.net.

World Ocean Radio

A weekly series of five-minute audio essays on a wide range of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. More than 550 episodes are now available for RSS feed, podcast, and syndicated use at no cost by community and public radio stations worldwide. We are distributed throughout North America, Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. Broadcasters: please contact us for more information. LEARN MORE.

Ocean & Climate | Programs & Services

WORLD OCEAN EXPLORER
An exploratory, educational virtual aquarium experience, free for use in the classroom and at home by ocean enthusiasts ages 10 and up. In January 2021 the W2O began an exciting new collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. We are in development of a virtual Deep Sea Exhibit to showcase encounters and discoveries during Schmidt's many deep sea expeditions, most specifically their Australia Campaign in 2020.
In spring of 2021 we secured foundation funding to construct the lobby: the entrance to the aquarium that will have its own displays to introduce visitors to the full catalogue of resources and exhibits contained within—in effect to build the place where we welcome and introduce our educational concepts and organizational themes to what we expect to be an audience of millions able to access WORLD OCEAN EXPLORER on any device anywhere at any time at no cost. Our ambition is to make the ocean accessible through inclusive interaction as wide, deep, and dynamic as the ocean itself.

WORLD OCEAN FORUM
Inviting fresh ideas, new solutions, provocative and imaginative conversations about the future of the ocean, and links unexpected people with unexpected ideas. This is a place for key ocean voices — professionals and Citizens of the Ocean alike — to contribute to an active forum of opinion, ideas, and proposals for change in ocean policy and action worldwide.

WORLD OCEAN PUBLICATIONS
Provocative publications about the ocean, published in association with Leete's Island Books.

New in 2021:
AQUA / TERRA: REFLECTIONS ON THE WORLD OCEAN
by Peter Neill
Available April 21, 2021 through your favorite local bookseller or at Amazon.com

OCEAN CURRICULUM CATALOG
Looking for activities, lesson plans, science projects or marine species resources for the classroom? Our Curriculum Catalog provides a comprehensive list of links to educational content, lesson plans, and educational activities for kindergarten through secondary programs.

VISUALIZATION THEATER
Modern data visualizations offer innovative and fascinating ways to look at, actively engage in, and interpret data and ocean events. Visualization Theater has the potential to transform the way in which we engage with and learn about scientific facts related to the world ocean.

WORLD OCEAN EXHIBITS
World Ocean Observatory is pleased to offer a variety of original and third party ocean exhibits. Our goal is to connect our audience of more than one million visitors each year with maritime museums and aquariums around the globe. We wish to be a central location for a wide variety of ocean exhibits related to maritime heritage, culture, climate, art, science, and examples of the important role that the ocean plays in our lives.

WORLD OCEAN VIDEO

Visit and subscribe to W2O's YouTube Channel to find a variety of relevant, cutting-edge, beautiful, informative, and thoughtful original and curated content. Our intent is to communicate the full spectrum of today's ocean issues: climate, fresh water, food, energy, trade, transportation, public health, finance, governance, recreation, culture and more. Subscribe today.

AN APP FOR THE OCEAN

We have an app to showcase W2O programs and offerings. iOS users can download the app for free today on the App Store by searching for "W2O". With the app installed you'll have access to our weekly World Ocean Radio broadcasts, each issue of the World Ocean Journal, updates to the World Ocean Forum blog, access to these monthly newsletters, and more—all in one easy-to-use app! We hope you'll download today, RATE AND REVIEW on the App Store, and let us know how it works.

SUPPORT W2O WHEN YOU SHOP ONLINE

GreenH2O Rewards is a free browser extension that gets 30,000+ stores to contribute part of your purchase price to water-related charities. When you join through our referral link, you'll automatically be supporting W2O, at no extra cost, when you shop online. GreenH2O Rewards extension will also save you money by automatically applying the best discount code for you when you're checking out. What could be better than saving money and helping save the ocean?

* GreenH2O Rewards will never collect your personal information nor sell your data.

OUTLAW OCEAN MUSIC PROJECT:
WHERE MUSIC MEETS JOURNALISM

All music in this project is based on THE OUTLAW OCEAN, a New York Times best-selling book by Ian Urbina that chronicles lawlessness at sea around the world. The reporting touches on a diversity of abuses ranging from illegal and overfishing, arms trafficking at sea, human slavery, gun-running, intentional dumping, murder of stowaways, thievery of ships, and other topics. The music is an act of solidarity across geography and language, and an attempt at storytelling from written word to music. It is a captivating collection of inspired songs. Take your pick: listen to ambient tracks, classical, electronic or hiphop.

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

THE SECOND WORLD OCEAN ASSESSMENT (WOA II)

In April 2021 the United Nations announced an artificial intelligence tool and standard for natural capital accounting to enable policy-makers and planners “to track the extent, condition, and services provided by Nature’s ecosystems…in the form of physical and monetary accounts and indicators.” As the ocean is a major provider of biodiversity and associated value—and has been almost entirely absent in prior assessment—this is very good news for its protection and preservation. Learn more.

DISTANCE LEARNING RESOURCES
To support all educators and parents navigating a changed learning landscape, the World Ocean Observatory has gathered a compendium of home-study and remote tools and resources for teaching and learning about the ocean.