The Future of the Ocean

The oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface and are the largest space inhabited by living organisms in the known universe. Much of humanity lives on or near the coast, so our activities directly affect and are affected by the ocean. The very well-being, prosperity, and sustainability of the human condition rely on the functioning of the earth’s oceans and the life within them. But the impacts of pollution, over-fishing, and climate change pose significant physical, ecological, social, and economic challenges for humanity. Just as important, we have yet to tap the oceans’ full potential as a resource. The oceans are vast storehouses of food, energy, and drinkable water, and we must learn how to exploit these resources sustainably.

A Wave of Opportunity

Researchers at MIT in fields from robotics to acoustics, marine ecology to environmental engineering, and economics to public policy are now looking to the oceans for answers to many of the world’s most compelling challenges. MIT is integrating the strengths of departments, centers, and laboratories across the Institute and at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, an essential partner in the work ahead, to come up with plans to manage a sustainable relationship between humankind and our oceans. Learn more at oceans.mit.edu.

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