1. EARTH MEDIA
International political and media consultants
on environmental, economic and social issues
320 East 54th
Street, suite 3H New York, NY 10022 U.S.
“A Livable Earth” +1 646 246-3585 earthmedia@gmail.com @earth_media_ www.earthmedia-summit.org
EMBARGO UNTIL – 1.00 AM EDT JUNE 7, 2013
CONTACT – Michael Strauss earthmedia@gmail.com 646 246-3585
Crystal.Bozek crystal.bozek@umb.edu 617 287-5383
Robbin Peach robbin peach@umb.edu 617 287-5770
UMass Boston Ocean Experts Urge Priority Action on
Coastal Protection, Warming Seas, and Melting Arctic Ice
Report from Global Conference Traces Web of Interconnections
between Climate Change, Ocean Impacts and National Security Issues
White Paper Recommends Advance Planning and Collaboration by
Governments, U.S. Navy, Educators, NGOs and Businesses
(Boston, June 8, 2013) On the fifth observance of World Oceans Day, the University of Massachusetts
Boston’s Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate and Security (CIOCS) today released a policy
and governance White Paper analyzing the pervasive effects on the world’s oceans from global climate
change, and the multiple potential impacts on human and national security.
The CIOCS White Paper highlights a series of recommendations for Priority Actions to anticipate the
most destructive of those possible outcomes, and identifies the key political and economic actors needed
to take leadership responsibility. It defines dozens of specific actions and calls for advance cooperation
among national and local governments, intergovernmental agencies, the private sector, educators, media,
non-profit organizations (NGOs), the U.S. Navy and maritime forces.
The White Paper, titled Ocean-Related Impacts of Climate Change on Human and National
Security, reports and expands upon conclusions drawn from the May 2012 Global Conference on
Oceans, Climate, and Security (GC’12), organized by CIOCS.
U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, who was among the 225 Conference participants, said,
“Compared to a century ago, oceans are now warmer, higher, stormier, saltier, lower in oxygen and
more acidic. Any one of these would be cause for concern. Collectively, they cry out for action.”
The three-day conference, hosted by UMass Boston, reviewed conditions that are likely to be
produced by climate change, how these conditions will affect coastal and ocean ecosystems and
communities, and how they may affect human and national security interests.
World Oceans Day was designated by the United Nations as an annual observance to increase public
awareness of the ways oceans provide nutrition and economic opportunities that support large
populations in all global regions.
The White Paper lists recommendations for action in five priority areas: the Security Nexus, Coasts and
Populations, Human Health, Ocean Benefits, and Arctic Impacts.

2. Among its highlights –
• The Paper recommends strengthening the political status of the Arctic Council, anticipating that
organization’s May 15, 2013 decision to add China and five other nations as associate members.
• The Paper describes ecologically sustainable methods for building resilience against storm
surges – one week into the start of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
• The Paper encourages comprehensive upgrades to primary and secondary school curricula to
increase public understanding of a wide range of environmental phenomena.
Robbin Peach, director of the Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security, coauthored the
white paper with Felix Dodds, Associate Fellow at the Tellus Institute, and Michael Strauss, Executive
Director of Earth Media. According to Peach, threats to national security can be direct, such as
impacting military installations at sea level, and indirect, such as the destabilization of populations and
countries through the loss of food sources and energy.
“The recent events from Superstorm Sandy painfully illustrate these effects. Human security, threatened
by climate-induced changes in marine and coastal community ecosystems, is a national security issue
not well understood ,” Peach said. “We need to engage the public and the next generation.”
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino commented, “As a city with residences, commercial buildings and
institutions populating our waterfront, we know how important it is to prepare for the impacts of sea
level rise. We’re pleased to see researchers focusing their attention on solutions. We aim to be the most
climate change resilient city in the country, and work like this helps us continue in that direction.”
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About the Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security
The Collaborative Institute aims to work with key influencers and decision makers to strengthen the
understanding of the human and national security implications of changing oceans and climates, and inform
policy decisions through the application of sound scientific research and technology, demonstrated through
place-based pilot projects. It accomplishes these goals by designing and participating in strategic convenings
and communications, by researching and developing technologies to inform place-based pilots, and by
educating stakeholders on the complex interdependencies of oceans, climate, and human security.
www.umb.edu/ciocs.
About UMass Boston
With a growing reputation for innovative research addressing complex issues, the University of
Massachusetts Boston, metropolitan Boston’s only public university, offers its diverse student population both
an intimate learning environment and the rich experience of a great American city. UMass Boston’s nine
colleges and graduate schools serve nearly 16,000 students while engaging local, national, and international
constituents through academic programs, research centers, and public service activities. www.umb.edu.
About World Oceans Day
In December 2008, World Oceans Day was designated by a resolution of the United Nations General
Assembly as an annual observance on June 8, in order to increase public awareness of the ways in which
oceans and their ecosystems provide nutrition, transportation, recreation and economic opportunities that
support large populations in all global regions. http://worldoceansday.org/
The White Paper
“Ocean-Related Impacts of Climate Change on Human and National Security” is available online.
http://scholarworks.umb.edu/ciocs.
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Earth Media is an independent political and media consultancy that promotes the activities and issues
of national and international coalitions of environmental, economic development, and social justice organizations.
It organizes press conferences, coordinates public communications campaigns and supports advocacy at United Nations
and intergovernmental negotiations. Earth Media works with national governments, intergovernmental organizations,
local authorities, NGOs, labor unions, academics and responsible business associations.
The advice, analyses and activities of Earth Media are intended solely for the education and use of its clients, legitimate news
media and not-for-profit organizations. They may not be used by for-profit corporations or by primarily public relations-
oriented agencies without clear acknowledgement and the expressed written consent of Earth Media.
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