Launched in 2023, Turning the Tide: Systems thinking for a sustainable ocean was a long-term project covering four key themes in marine and coastal science from a systems thinking perspective. It was endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade, an initiative running from 2021 to 2030 which calls for ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’ and promotes a shared, global effort towards the needed developments in marine and coastal science.

Collaboration by stakeholders at all levels is a crucial element of the Ocean Decade, which set the tone for Turning the Tide - we engaged with experts around the world in a variety of roles with one common aim: bringing together the marine and coastal science community to explore how systems thinking principles can support a sustainable ocean.

The project was split into four themes, ‘Bridging the gap between land and sea’; ‘Blue carbon’; ‘Blue economy’; and ‘Marine conservation and restoration’, each of which drew on the expertise of different parts of the marine and coastal sector and emphasised the importance of a systems approach to safeguard our ocean long into the future. By clicking on the hyperlinks, you can access wrap-up pages with links to recordings of the live events that formed a huge part of Turning the Tide, along with articles and further information.

The project would not have been possible without the support of over 40 external contributors, who held webinars, contributed to panel discussions and roundtables, and produced articles. Their involvement is testament to the potential for collaboration and joined-up progress in the marine and coastal sector.