The oceans are vital to life on this planet. They cover 71% of our planet’s surface and host 95% of the biosphere. We rely on them to support human life and our economic, cultural, social, and environmental wellbeing. But our oceans are under threat from climate change, overfishing, and many other human-caused stressors.

These are key concerns informing the new report Our oceans: a deep dive, authored by Dr Aurelie Charles and Dr Philippe Blondel. The report serves as a summary of a major events series on the oceans, hosted by the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research (IPR) throughout 2021-22.

This series engaged with experts, advisors, policymakers, and the general public to address the role the oceans can play in our collective action to reach net zero; how we can protect indigenous communities; how we can tackle marine pollution, overfishing, and other problems; the role and opportunities of nature-based and geoengineering solutions; and the geopolitics of our oceans.

The report provides insights and perspectives from a diverse range of stakeholders – including social and political scientists, indigenous activists, and practitioners – as well as reflections from the authors.